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III.
IP af iaint
HERE BEGINS THE PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF THE MOST BLESSED
CADOC, ALSO CALLED SOPHIA, BISHOP AND MARTYR, OFTHE CITY OF BENEVENTUM.
reigned formerly on the borders of Britain, called
Dimetia,2 a certain regulus, named Glywys,
3 from
whom all the country of that district, in all the days of
his life, was called Glywysyg,4 who is said to have ten
1 Cadoc is generally called in Welsh Cattwg. He was the eldest son of Gwynlliw
Filwr, and lived in the latter part of the sixth century. On account of his wisdom, he is
generally known by the appellation of Cattwg Ddoeth, (the Wise Cattwg,) and a large
collection of his maxims and moral sayings, both in prose and verse, is preserved in the
III. Vol. ofthe Myv. Arch. He was the first Principal, or Abbot of Llancarfan, and his
college, like all the rest founded in Wales, in the infancy of monastic institutions, seems
to have partaken both of a monastery, and a place of education. Though it is said to
have been situated at Llancarfan, the particular spot, on which it stood, was called Llan-
feithin, for which reason, the names are used indiscriminately. He is considered to have
been the founder of several churches, -in Brecknockshire, Llangattock, Crickhowel; in
Glamorganshire, Porteinion, Gelligaer, Cadoxton juxta Barry, Llancarfan, Pendeulwyn,
Pentyrch, Llanmaes, and Cadoxton juxta Neath; arid in Monmouthshire, Llangattock,near Usk, Llangattock Lenig, Llangattock Lingoed, Llangattock Feibion Afel, and Caer-
lleon on Usk. He has been confounded with Cadog the son of Brychan, who died in A.D.
490, and is said to have been buried in France. The churches founded by whom are
Llanspyddid in Brecknockshire, and Llangadog Fawr in Carmarthenshire. There was
formerly a chapel in Kidwely dedicated to St. Cadog, and perhaps one or two churches
which have been confounded with those attributed to Cattwg, ought to be added to the
number. Professor Rees s Welsh Saints, pp. 142, 143, 176, 177.
2 Or Dyved, here meaning South Wales, although the name is more strictly applicableto Pembrokeshire, and a large portion of the counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan.
Lady Charlotte Guest s Mabinogion, Vol. II. p. 73.
3 Or Glewis; he was the son of Tegid ap Cadell Deyrnllwg. (See "The lolo MSS."
page 384.) Glywys was probably the person of that name who witnessed a grant to
St. Dubricius, inserted in page 318 of the Liber Landavensis.
4Glywysyg, the district of which Glywys was lord, and to which he gave its name,
seems to have comprised a considerable portion of Glamorgan and Gwent. A MS. for
merly in the possession of Watkin Giles, of Llangan, defines the district thus;
" The countrynow called the Cantred of Wentlwg, lying between the river Usk, on the side of Gwent,and the river Elerch, otherwise the greater Rumney, on the side of Kibor, in Glamorgan,
lolo MSS. page 384.
2 R
310 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
children. The eldest of whom was called Gwynlliw,1 from
whose name, the country, which he governed, was after the
death of his father, to the present day, called Gwynlliw.2
Whose cousins, as brothers of good and ingenuous disposi
tion, by a birthday custom, peaceably and carefully divided
their father s kingdom amongst themselves, according to
their number; to every one a province, except only to Pe-
drog3 the fourth, who gave up a transitory for a perpetual
inheritance. Their names and adjacent provinces are as
follow : Gwynlliw, the eldest son, obtained the chiefpart of
his father s kingdom, namely Gwynllwg ; Etelic had Ede-
lygion,4 Poul Penychen,
5 Seru Serugunid, Gwrhai6Gurinid,
7
Mar Margam,8Cettil Kidwely, Cornouguil Carnwyllion,
8
Metel Crucmetil. And one of them Pedrog would not
receive with them a portion ; as he rejected altogether the
vanities, and momentary allurements of this world, and ac
cording to the example of the holy fathers, despised wordlyfor heavenly things; he began to adhere firmly to God, and
gave up his country, his kindred, and at last all the thingsof this world. Travelling from home, by the direction of
God, in the country of Cornwall, he came at length to the
district which is called Botmenei,9where, during his whole
life, he served God most devoutly, and erected a very large
monastery to his honour. And his festival is celebrated
reverently and with great solemnity on the II of the nonesof June. Here ends the Preface.
1Gwynlliw Filwr, or Gwynlliw the Warrior.
2Generally termed the Hundred of Gwynllwg, or Wentloog, in Monmouthshire.
3Pedrog was the founder of the churches of Llanbedrog, Caernarvonshire, St. Petrox,
Pembrokeshire, and of others in Devon and Cornwall, of which counties he may be considered the tutelar saint. Professor Rees s Welsh Saints, p. 226.
4 An ancient district in Monmouthsire. The name of Edelig (Etelic,) occurs as awitness to a grant, to Oudoceus, of lands, in Gwentis Coed, on the banks of the Wye.Liber Landavensis, p. 403.
6 An ancient district in Glamorgan.6 Gwrhai s name occurs as a witness to a grant to Bishop Arwystl. Liber Landa
vensis, p. 413.7Gorwennydd, a
district, probably co extensive with the present ecclesiastical Deaneryjroneath, Glamorgan. lolo MSS. p. 398.8Kidwely and Carnwyllion, Hundreds in Carmarthenshire. s
Bodmin, in Cornwall.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 311
HERE BEGINS THE PROLOGUE TO THE LIFE OF THE SAME
SAINT. AMEN.
After a long interval oftime, the aforesaid king Gwynlliw
enjoying his kingdom, desired to be joined in wedlock
to a certain young lady for her very high reputation,
who was elegant in appearance, beautiful in form,
and adorned with silk vestments ;her name was Gwla-
dys,1 and she was the daugher of a certain regulus
called Brychan. Therefore he sent many messengers
to the father of the young lady, who earnestly request
ed that she should be given to him in marriage ; but her
father having heard the message, became angry, and full of
rage refused to betroth his daughter, slighted the messen
gers, and sent them back without honour; which they
taking amiss, returned and related to their master what had
been done to them. Which being heard, raging with great
anger, he armed as many as three hundred slaves, who
should take the young lady away by force. They im
mediately set on their journey, and came to the court of
the aforesaid regulus, which is called Talgarth,2 and found
the young lady before the door of her residence, sitting
with her sisters, and passing the time in modest conversa
tion ;whom they immediately took by force, and returned
with speed.
Which Brychan her father hearing, he was seized with
grief of heart, and mourning the loss of his dearest daugh
ter, called to his assistance all his friends and neighbours
to recover her. All his auxiliaries having come together, he
with haste pursues his enemy with his accomplices ;whom
when Gwynlliw saw, he frequently ordered the said young
lady to be brought forward, and he made her ride with him;
and not flying, but taking her slowly on horseback, he pre
ceded his army, waited for his soldiers, and manfully exhor-
1 As Brychan died in 450, according to the generally received accounts, Gwladys must
have been his grand-daughter, and not his daughter, as here stated. See Professor Rees s
Welsh Saints, p. 146.
2 A place in Brecknockshire, about 9 miles eastward from Brecknock.
312 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
ted them to battle. But Brychan, with his men, boldly at
tacking the hard-hearted king and his followers, slew two
hundred, and pursued them to the hill, which is the
boundary between the two countries, and is called in the
British language Bochriwcarn,1 which signifies the cheek of
a stony road. But when Gwynlliw had arrived at the boun
dary of his dominions, being bodily safe with the aforesaid
young lady, and sorrowful from fighting with his enemies, a
great slaughter having taken place, lo, three brave heroes,
Arthur, with his two knights, namely, Kai and Bedwir,2
were sitting upon the top of the aforesaid hill and playingwith dice.
When they saw the king with the young lady comingnear them, Arthur was immediately seized with love
towards the lady, and full of bad thoughts, said to his
companions, "Know ye that I am vehemently inflamed
with love towards the lady, whom the soldier carries
off, riding."But they forbiding him said,
" Far be from
thee to commit such wickedness ; for we have been accus
tomed to assist the destitute and the distressed, where
fore let us go forward, and quickly render our assistance
that this contest may be terminated." And he said," Since ye both will assist him, rather than take away the
lady from him for me, go and meet them, arid carefully en
quire which of them is the owner of thisterritory."
And
they immediately departed, and to the enquiry made by the
1Bochriwcarn, seems to be some place in the north part of the parish of Bedwelty, Mon
mouthshire, on the borders of Brecknockshire, as Rhiw Carn is the name of a mountainroad, leading from near Beaufort Iron Works towards Llangynnidr, near which are numerous Cams, whence probably the name. W.
This notice of Arthur and his knights may perhaps be considered by some as an embellishment borrowed from the Mabinogion ;
it however, so far as it goes, incidentallyconfirms what is generally supposed to be authentic in the history of that hero. ThusArthur s ignorance of whose territory he was upon, coincides with the fact of his ownparticular dominions being in Devon and Cornwall, for his connexion with Wales mustbe considered rather intrusive than otherwise. He was, however, allied by family tiesto some of the Silurian reguli, for we can glean from the Liber Landavensis and other
authorities, that his grandfather, Cystennyn Gorneu, founded churches in Ergyng, andthat his father s sister was married to Pebiau ab Urb ab Erbin, king of Gwent and Ergyng. His cousin, Geraint ab Erbin, is also stated to have founded a church at Caer-
ffawydd, or Hereford.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 313
order of the king, Gwynlliw answered," God being wit
ness, and all the most learned in the land, I profess myselfto be owner of this territory."
The messengers on return
ing to their master, mentioned what they had heard from
him. Then Arthur with his armed companions rushed
upon the enemies of Gwynlliw, who turning their backs, fled
with great confusion to their own country. Then Gwynlliw
triumphing, through the assistance of Arthur, went with
the aforesaid lady Gwladys to his palace that was on that
hill, which from his name afterwards received the British
appellation, Alltwynlliw, that is the Hill of Gwynlliw ; for
from Gwynlliw, Gwynllwg, and from Brychan, Brycheiniogare called.
HERE BEGINS THE LIFE OF THE SAME SAINT. IX KAL. FEB.
1. OF THE ANGELIC REVELATION, AND THE BIRTH OF SAINT CADOC.
Those things having been done, king Gwynlliw united
himself in lawful wedlock, to the aforesaid daughter of
Brychan, named Gwladys ; who conceived, and wonderful
to be mentioned, four lamps were seen shining every night,
with great brightness, in the four corners of the house
where she remained, until she brought forth her first born
son. And from this, it is manifest to all that the infant was
elected by God from his mother s womb, like that prophecyof Isaiah,
" From thy mother s womb have I elected thee,"
and elsewhere," From my mother s belly the Lord called
me."
On a certain night some of Gwynlliw s thieves1 came for
the puspose of committing a robbery, to a town wherein
dwelt a religious Irishman, who was a hermit and devoutlyserved God, which thieves, the aforesaid Gwynlliw loved, and
instigated to robbery. But the said hermit possessed no
worldly property except a cow big in calf, that was the best
1 The character of Gwynlliw as here given, although by no means complimentary, is, nodoubt, a true portrait of many a Welsh Chieftain at that time, and some centuries after
wards.
314 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
in all the district, arid with her abundant milk sufficiently
supplied with refreshment the hermit, and his twelve ser
vants; which cow the aforesaid thieves stole. On the
night, in which this crime was committed, Gwladys the
wife of the oft-mentioned king brought forth her first-born
son. Also in the same night, a voice from heaven announced to the father of the infant, in his sleep, saying,
" Acertain holy presbyter, and anchorite, by the direction of
God will come to thee to-morrow, betimes in the morning,whom, when thou seest, humbly and devoutly receive, and
kneeling earnestly beseech him to purify thy son in the
font of regeneration ; and his name will be called Cathmail.
And when he has completed his seventh year, thou mayestgive him up to the same regenerator, to receive instruction
from hislearning."
Also the angel of the Lord, on the same night, likewise
appeared to the venerable presbyter, saying to him " Arise
quickly, gird thyself, and put on thy shoes ; for thy cow has
been taken away by thieves, therefore make haste to look
after her. But when thou comest to the court yard of
Gwynlliw, where doubtless thou wilt find her, there hasten bythe command of God to baptize the son of the king, bywhom thy cow is detained, and afterwards when he is seven
years of age thou art to instruct him in the books of the holy
Scriptures. Therefore the aforesaid king, in the same night,
mentioned to his wife Gwladys all that he had dreamed,before the said hermit came, who therefore greatly rejoiced.
On the following day the aforesaid priest attended by his
disciples came early by the direction of God, to procurehis cow
; and was going to the bed where the king slept,
but was opposed by the stern porters, and he did not enter;
which becoming known to the king, he was quickly permittedto come in ; and the cow he had lost was restored to him,and gladly received. For the king respected him, and im
mediately knew him to be the servant of God who hadbeen revealed to him by the oracle, and bowing, he
earnestly with downcast eyes supplicated the man of God
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 315
that he would baptize his son in the laver of salvation. He
complying with the petitions of his enemy, according to
the angelic command, baptized the child, agreeably to our
Lord s command, " Love your enemies, do good to them
who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, and
despitefully use you, that ye may be the sons of my Father
who is in heaven." But in the performance of this baptism,
divine power deigned to shew, by a wonderful sign, how
great the boy would be. For when the man of God, Meu-thi
1, would baptize the son of the aforesaid king, the ser
vant of the king, named Snaudrentia, being fatigued with
their long journey, and in want of water for drink, uttered
words of complaint in the hearing of Meuthi, the man of
God, alleging that they were obliged daily to carry water
on their shoulders from a distance. Meuthi answered them," Let us all pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would
bestow running water to us, his servants, and to the infant,
who has been elected by him from his mother s womb."
When prayer was ended, a large fountain sprang up, and
flowing abundantly, effected a river; which being done, and
all persons exulting and praising God, the blessed Meuthi declared in answer that the force of the " stream had
made joyful the city of God." Moreover, when a certain
woman brought in her arms the young child to be baptizedat the fountain, which, by means of the aforesaid holy her
mit, had lately sprung up from the earth, he leaping from the
arms of the person who brought him, by three leaps, with
out any one assisting him, got to the aforesaid fountain,2
1 The hermit who baptized and afterwards became the preceptor of Cadoc is here,and the following paragraphs, called Meuthi
;in other accounts of the saint he is called
Tathai, who, in the Achau Saint, is represented as of Armorican descent, and brother of
St. Samson, but here and in the Liber Landavensis, their father is called an Irishman,which is perhaps more correct, as Tathai or Tathan is a proper Irish name, equivalent to
Dewi or David. Tathai is one of the Patron Saints of Llanvaches, which is called in the
records with an alias Llandathai, very near Caerwent, which, we may therefore supposewas the town, the plundering of which would, it appears, have been extremely agreeableto Gwynlliw, and whose Lord, Caradog ap Ynyr Gwent, would no doubt, have heen
equally happy to have appropriated to his own use any of the herds and flocks of his
neighbour that fell in his way. Tathai was the superior of a famous school at Caerwent,
and there we may suppose Cadoc was educated. W.2 In the margin,
"
Dipped himself three times in the water, in the name of the holyTrinity."
316 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
which miracle the divine goodness performed to make knownthe grace of the child, according to the saying written in
the Psalms," The Lord is wonderful in his saints." Those
three leaps of the young child denoted the mystical number
of the holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to
whom, with all his might, and effect, he rendered obedience,
studying to proceed daily from virtue to virtue, that
he might deserve to see the God of all gods in Sion. Andwhen the blessed Meuthi saw him leaping alone, he
rejoiced, and with a more ready mind baptized him in the
holy fountain, and according to the angelic command, gavehim the name of Cathmail.1
2. HOW THE BOY CADOC WAS INSTRUCTED BY HOLY MEUTHI.
The infant having been born a second time by the graceof baptism, the aforesaid presbyter returned him, after the
manner of baptized persons, to his parents, saying,"
Joyfullyreceive that child, who by the angelic command, was puri
fied by me in the laver of salvation, and preserve him for
seven years from all injurious things, and this being done,
resolve that he should be instructed in divine literature."
Which being heard, the father of the child said to the holy
presbyter, "To thee, before all the doctors of Britain, I will
intrust my son, that after the fixed number of years are past,
thou mayest instruct him in the liberal arts, and divine doc
trines, because thou art a true worshipper of God, and a skil
ful teacher of many disciples."To these words holy Meuthi
answered," All those things which you mention respecting
this child, God willing I will effectually perform." These matters being done as has been related, holy Meuthi having ob
tained the aforesaid cow, returned to his own habitation.
3. OF THE FOUNTAIN WHICH HAD SUDDENLY SPRUNG UP FOR THEBAPTISM OF THE CHILD BEING TURNED TO METHEGLIN.
But we consider that it should not, by any means, be
1 It is singular we are not told why or when the Saint took the name of Cadoc, as his
baptismal name was Cathmail, which seems confirmed by the Liber Landavensis, p. 372,where Llancarvan is called Cadmael. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 317
passed over what the divine mercy did, to make manifest
the grace of the oftmentioned child, respecting the afore
said fountain, in which holy Cathmail and Cadoc 1 were
baptized. In the first year after the baptism of Saint Cadoc,
it was, as is related by the more skilful ancient writers of
Britain, turned into mead, both in taste and colour. And in
the second year it preserved the colour and sweetness of
milk throughout the year. Therefore to those persons whodwelt in the country, wherein was the fountain, which flowed
from the ground at the prayer of the said hermit, and for
the love of Saint Cadoc, and drank thereof, it never failed
nor lost its sweetness. But a very great dispute, and con
tention arose between unjust heirs, so that they dreadfully
fought with each other, on the account of the fountain, and
great slaughter of them was effected, namely a hundred
countrymen slain, and many wounded, and those who re
mained, at length returned with their horses, and bloodyclothes to their habitations. Therefore God the giver of all
good things, who, by this fountain, deigned to show his be
nevolence, became angry and exasperated on account of
their wickedness and injustice, and caused the liquor to re
turn to its natural insipidity, according to the saying to
Moses, "I will hide from them my face, saith the Lord,
I will see what their end shall be, for they are a froward ge
neration, children in whom is no faith." When the term of
seven years was past, and all the allurements of the world
being despised, the boy Cadoc, with the consent of his pa
rents, of his own accord, placed himself under the master
ship of his baptizer Meuthi to be instructed in sacred
literature, and the liberal arts. And he willingly taking
him, agreeably to the command of the angel, diligently in
structed him in Donatus and Priscian,2 and other arts for
twelve years. Therefore when Cadoc, of pious memory,
1 Both Cathmail and Cadoc are here mentioned as if they were two different persons,but inaccurately, probably an error of some transcriber.
aMeaning, Grammatical Learning; Donatus and Priscian having been celebrated
learned Grammarians.9 *
318 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
had passed the age of childhood, he began to be greatlydevoted to God, and to strive with all his might to obtain
by well doing the inheritance of eternal life, and overcom
ing his childhood, he gave up his mind to no pleasure. Forwhat the evangelist said concerning the child Jesus, mightnot improperly be mentioned respecting this, his servant," The child grew, and was comforted, and the Spirit of Godwas with him."
4. OF THE PUNISHMENT OF THE COUNTRYMAN, WHO REFUSED TO GIVEFIRE TO THE CHILD CADOC.
On a certain day, when their fire was extinguished, the
aforesaid presbyter ordered his humble auditor to fetch
fire, to cook the meat; he readily obeying the order of his
master, immediately went to a thrashing floor, or win
nowing place for corn, where was a certain servant of his
master, who was named Tidus, and was at that time drying
oats, and he earnestly requested that he would give himfire for the use of his master. But the foolish rustic re
jected his request, and refused to give him any, except he
would carry the burning coals in his cloak. Yet he, trust
ing in the Lord, received the coals of fire into his cloak ;
and brought them to his master, without the garment beingburnt. But it is not to be concealed that the rustic re
ceived a punishment due to his perverseness ;for the boy, in
returning, beheld the rustic, and raising his eyes towards
heaven, prayed to the Lord, saying, "I beseech thee, Godthe Father, Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
who grantest power on earth to thy servants by destroying
scorpions, extinguishing poisons, casting out demons, giving
sight to the blind, cleansing lepers, healing the sick, tam
ing the fierce, and subduing sinners and impious persons,hear my prayers with thy ears, that this rustic by the kind
ling of his own firebrands, may with his thrashing floor and
corn, be burnt together, and that his thrashing floor be
cursed by God, so that no one, after his death, may use it
for an age, and that his offspring be subject to the heathens.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 319
However I do not, by these supplications, which I have
addressed to thy goodness, wish that the aforesaid sinner
should be condemned in his wickedness, since the Lord
saith," I will not the death of the sinner, but rather that he
should be converted and live." And Paul," Not rendering
evil for evil, nor cursing for cursing, but contrarywise bless
ing."But that the divine virtue and power in this world
might be manifest to the wicked, and they might the more
fear thee, and abhor resisting those who serve thee; as it is
read in Daniel, "Let all those who inhabit the earth, fear
the God of Daniel, because he is a deliverer, and saviour,
and performs miracles in heaven and in earth." The sup
plication being ended, and he looking back, lo, the thrashing
floor, which was cursed by him, and the foolish countrymanabove mentioned were set on fire, and altogether consumed.
And in that place, where the thrashing or winnowing floor
was situated, an unseemly fountain arose after the burning,
in memory of divine vengeance, which causing there a small
marsh, hitherto remains in memory of the circumstance.
The docile boy Cacloc, as soon as he returned with the
coals of fire, cast them from his unburnt cloak before the
eyes of his master. This being done, as related, the senior
said to him," Most dear disciple, chosen servant of God, it
is not lawful for me to teach thee any longer." Havingheard this, the youth of good disposition, fearing lest that
by doing something, he had incurred his indignation, said
with a deep sigh, "How have I made thee angry with me,
for thy wrath has the same effect upon me as fire; I have
never been disobedient to thee, either in word or deed, nor
an accuser, or whisperer among the brethren." And JVIeu-
thi answering him said,"
By no means, but as it is read in
the gospel respecting the centurion, who when he requested
Christ to heal his son, said unto him, Lord, I am not worthythat thou shouldst dwell any longer with me under my roof,
and thou receivest instruction from me, for thy wisdom ex
ceeds my knowledge, and thy innocence is more eminent
than my prudence, and thou art holier than I am, in every
320 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
respect. Therefore with the divine protection, and myblessing, and the angels accompanying thee, thou wilt proceed prosperously wherever thou dost appoint to
go."Then
holy Meuthi after the departure of Cadoc taking into his
consideration the aforesaid sacred fire, which he would not
by any means dare to use, went and hid it as a precious
treasure, burying it in the cemetery. Therefore from that
day, until the time of king Howel, son of Owen king of
Glamorgan,1 the place where the sacred fire had been hid
den by Saint Meuthi was universally known, and also onall persons, who came there with their cattle that were
affected with various diseases, the divine mercy was accus
tomed to confer healing, until a certain malevolent man
envying the gift of God, bestowed on man by this healing
fire, unhappily by denying the place and fire, destroyedthem that no one thereby should be cured of his disorder.
Afterwards the fire and place have remained hitherto un
known, conferring health on no one.
5. OP THE DEPARTURE OF CADOC FROM HIS MASTER, AND PERMISSIONGIVEN HIM TO PROCEED WITH THE YOUNG PIG.
Therefore Saint Cadoc departed sorrowfully from his oft
before mentioned instructor, and with frequent sighings, di
ligently sought a place appropriate for the worship of God,nor was he long deprived of his wish. At length he cameto a certain valley covered with thorns and thistles; wherehowever fatigue obliged him to rest some time, under the
shade of an apple tree, but the hogs there feeding, on seeinghim were affrighted, and at a quick pace fled to the swine
herd. Who when he saw the hogs affected with fear, wasfilled with anger, and being excited, he arose, and takinghis spear, searched in all directions for whom or what had
affrighted the hogs. Whence it happened that he came to
1 The mention in this paragraph of Howel ap Owen, king of Morganwg, who died inthe year 1042, gives us a limit before which this legend could not have been written, andfrom the way in which he is introduced, it may be inferred that its date must be fixed along time after. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 321
the place where Saint Cadoc prayed, near the roots of the
aforesaid tree; and seeing him, he suspected that he was a
thief, and with upraised right hand, endeavoured to stab
him with the point of his spear. But God seeing the
wickedness of the swineherd from on high, immediatelycaused his extended arm to become stiff, so that he could
not draw it to him, nor on the contrary was he able to ex
tend it, and he immediately lost the sight of both his eyes.
So that without doubt the venerable Cadoc by the direction
of God, commendably escaped the dangerous rage of the
furious swineherd.
And the swineherd using lamentable expressions, and as
certaining with his feet, and left hand only, the injury that
had been done to his limbs, knew that Cadoc, whom he de
sired to kill, was a servant of God, and addressed him in a
sorrowful manner, as follows, "I beseech thy piety with
earnest entreaties, that for the ineffable mercy of God,
thou wouldst for me, who suffer from the incorporeal bonds
of divine vengeance, loosen my miserable limbs, and grant to
my blindness the eye-sight that has been takenaway."
To
these words, Cadoc said, "Thou wilt receive no cure from
God, until thou goest to thy master, namely Poul Pen-
nychen."But he mentioned,
" You see, most faithful ser
vant of God, that I am deprived of the sight of both eyes,
and my miserable body is, as it were bound with iron
chains, and therefore I am not able to travel." To whomCadoc replied,
"
Only believe that all things are possible to
God, both in heaven and in earth;" and he answered, "I
believe, Lord." And again the blessed man said to him," He who opened the eyes of one born blind, and raised
Lazarus from the grave, wherein he had lain for four days,
will open thine eyes, and in the presence of thy master, and
of those who will be sitting with him, the marrow of all
thy limbs will be instantly restored, and I command thee
that when thou wilt tell thy master those things, which
have been done to thee by God through me, and hast re
ceived the sight of thy eyes, thou wilt salute him for me
322 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
and ask him to come to me, that by sight, and conver
sation I may be deemed worthy to engage his attention;
for he his my uncle." Having heard these things, the blind
and wretched man immediately arose, nothing doubting of
obtaining his cure through the mercy of God ; and his foot
steps being directed by God, he came strait to the residence
of his master, which is called in the British language, Nant
Poul ; and striking the doors with his blind forehead, he
called the porters with a loud voice, and lamentably asked
for an entrance. And the porters beholding him, and hav
ing compassion on him, on account of his calamity, anxiously
enquired how he had lost his sight, and how he came to be
seized with such debility. But he returned no answer, and
kept the matter a secret until he entered the hall of his mas
ter, and while standing, plainly related to him all the things
that had by God, through Saint Cadoc, been done to him;
and having scarcely uttered the words to him, his blindness
was taken away, and his former sight restored; scales like
those of a fish fell from his eyes, and the virtue of genial
strength was restored to his stiffened right hand.
These things being seen and heard, the aforesaid Poul
greatly wondered, and receiving the command of the manof God, rejoiced with exultation, and thinking that the holy
Cadoc would always prefer temporal glory, and an earthly
kingdom to the service of God, he put on his best clothes,
and with twelve chosen soldiers, and conducted by the afore
said swineherd, went joyfully to the man of God, and found
him praying under the shade of the said apple tree, and not
only he himself, but also all his attendant soldiers alighted
from their horses, fell down at the feet of the blessed Cadoc,
and addressed him with such words as the following, "We
return due thanks to God, and greatly rejoice on account of
thy happy arrival; if thou wilt set aside the service of re
ligion, and promise to take the royal sceptre, as suits thy dig
nity, for the rights of the whole kingdom belong to thee, and
we all will become subject to thy government, because thou
art the principal heir to this kingdom,"To which words
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 323
Cadoc said, "The service of divine religion, I will never for
sake for the allurements of the deceitful world, nor will I
prefer earthly to heavenly things, neither will I despise what
is eternal for what is momentary; and a spot for one cot
tage, of all thy territory, Avill be sufficient for me." The
subregulus answered him, "I expected that thou wouldst
have asked for some very large gifts, now thou dost request
the smallest, therefore choose and possess whatever may be
agreeable to thy will and pleasure."To whom the blessed
man uttered these words. " It wearies me to examine the
various places of this desert, and this valley, not a little re
mote from habitations, I choose before all others to dwell
in ; and here I think proper to serve God devoutly with
my fellow soldiers, the clergy. According to what is writ
ten in the Psalms, "Here shall be my resting place for ever;
here will I dwell, because I have chosen it." Things of
this sort having been done, and a dwelling place for the
blessed Cadoc been granted, the aforesaid subregulus re
turned to his own habitation.
The venerable man with his clergy passed the following
night in prayers to God, that he would inform them of a
place to build on for him, and by grubbing up the bushes
to make plain. For in that valley there was no dry place,
it being a watery moor, producing nothing but reeds, and it
was full of various kinds of reptiles and snakes, except what
surrounded a bush, under which a great white boar usually
passed its time ;also in the middle of the said bush, in the
upper part, a swan was accustomed to build its nest every
year. And as the venerable man finished his prayer, lo, an
angel of the Lord appeared in a dream, and said to him,"
Thy prayer has been heard by the Lord ; therefore on ris
ing early in the morning, thou wilt find a place for build
ing an oratory, plain, and made level, and when thou
wilt walk over it, thou wilt see a bristly white old boar
leaping, being affrighted at the noise of thy footsteps; and
there thou mayest lay the foundation of thy church in the
name of the Holy Trinity; afterwards in the place where
324 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the boar will again stop, thou mayest build a dormitory,and again, where, in his progress, he will make a third
stopping, there thou mayest construct thy refectory." AndSaint Cadoc rising early in the morning, saw that the roughand bushy places had, by the direction of God, been made
level, as the angel had mentioned. Therefore the venerable
man came by the angelic command to the aforesaid bush,
in the middle of the cleared valley, and observed a remark
able great boar rising from the sound of his footsteps, and
also a white swan flying away, being driven from its nest byfear. And the boar stopped its course not far from the
aforesaid thicket, and looked back towards Saint Cadoc, as
if pointing out the place: it then proceeded a little farther,
and again for a little while stopped its progress. Then the
blessed man marked by the fixing of three twigs, the three
stations of the boar; and he built in the first station a re
markable monastery of wooden materials, in the second, a
a refectory and castle, and in the third, a dormitory.
6. HOW THE MAN OF GoD FIRST BUILT A MONASTERY.
After this miracle was made known to all the western
Britons, a great many of the clergy from all parts throughout Britain, flowed eagerly, like a river, to Saint Cadoc,
that they might learn to imitate his wisdom, and his ac
tions, for he always cheerfully received all who were anxi
ously desirous to pay instant obedience to the commands of
God, and gave themselves up to the study of the Holy
Scriptures. Then the holy man undertook to raise up a
large mound of earth, and to make therein a very hand
some cemetery, to be dedicated in honour of God, where
the bodies of the faithful might be buried near to the
church. The mound being completed, and the cemeteryalso constructed therein, he made, through impassable
places, four large footpaths across four declivities of the ris
ing grounds, which surrounded his residence, following
literally, and spiritually, the evangelical precept, which
says, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 325
strait." Likewise this man of God, not only by labouring
bodily with his hands, converted uneven, indirect, and rough
ways into good roads, but also converted the hearts of manywhich were infected, and perverse with divers errors, to the
right way of the Lord. Likewise he chose another place
for himself, and caused to be raised therein, of the soil of
the earth, another mound in the form of a round city, and
on the mound, to be erected, what in the language of the
Britons is KASTELL CADOC, (THE CASTLE OF CADOC.) For
he thought it proper that he should pass his life, labouringwith his hands, and he dreaded to consume idly the la
bours of another person, hoping through the sufferings of
present exertion, to pass to the glory of eternal rest, according
to what is written in the Psalms," Labour with thy hands,
for he that eateth," and so forth. And the apostie says," Let every one of you labour, working with his hands, that
he may give to those who suffer need." And again," Let
no one of you eat the bread of idleness ; and he who does
not labour, should not eat." He indeed, although he was
the proprietor of much land, was accustomed to sow his
corn only in one fertile acre, which, in the language of the
inhabitants, was called ERWGWEN, or (THE WHITE ACRE.)And it was knowrn to all who read or heard the Life of the
pious father Cadoc, that such acre, on account of the bene
diction and sanctity of the man of God, obtained the vene
rable name.
7. How SAINT CADOC SAILED TO IRELAND.
It therefore happened that on a certain day, after a long
space of time, the blessed Cadoc spoke to his disciples after
this manner, saying," My most dear brethren, I have a very
great desire to sail to Ireland, for the sake ofteaching."
And they answering said, We know indeed, kind Master,
that thou formest such designs as are pleasing to God, and
according to the will of God; for whatever thou dost ask
of him, thou dost immediately obtain, and thou dost not
contemplate anything that is wicked or perverse, for thou2 T
326 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
knowest that it is better to be constantly meditating on
the Holy Scriptures, according to the Proverbs of the Wise
Man, "
Son, acquire learning in thy youth, and thou wilt
find wisdom with thy grey hairs, and it will be to thee as a
father and mother." And afterwards he ordered a strongboat besmeared with pitch to be prepared for him in the
harbour of the sea, that he might safely sail therein to Ire
land. And some of his disciples being assembled together,uttered these words,
"
Lord, wherever thou dost go, we will
follow thee." He saith to them," Some of you shall go
with me, but others shall here remain to keep faithfully mymonastery and town, until I come back. And it was so
done. Therefore Saint Cadoc sailed over the Irish sea, and
with a seasonable and prosperous course, came to land, and
coming in good time, he employed himself in diligently
searching for the most excellent master of that country, so
that he might by him be more perfectly instructed in the
seven liberal arts; and thirsting eagerly for improvement in
learning, he at length came prosperously to the principal
city of that country, which is called Lismore Muchutu. Andhe was graciously received by the most learned master of that
town, and all the clergy there resident; and on account of
his sanctity and humility, they surnamed him with the
name of the principal saint of that city, Muchutu, with
which chief doctor he remained three years, until he suc
ceeded in gaining perfection in the learning of the West.
It is reported that a monastery in honour to Saint Cadoc
was built in that city.
8. How CADOC RETURNED FROM IRELAND.
Three years having passed away, he returned in a verycelebrated manner from Ireland with a large company of
Irish, and British clergy, among whom were the religiousand very learned men, namely Finian Macmoil and Gna-
van, said to be the most celebrated, and skilful of all the
British disciples. From hence, therefore, he came to the
British shore, and withdrew with his dependents into the
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 327
district of Brecknock, for he had heard that a celebrated
rhetorician of the name of Bachan, had come from Italy to
that country. As the blessed Cadoc had heard the fame
of his knowledge, he much wished to be taught Latin byhim after the Roman method. And at that time there was
a great famine in the district of Brecknock. When the holyman came to the aforesaid dogmatist, Saint Cadoc suppli-
antly asked him, if he would deign to take him to be in
structed; to whom he answered," My son, I am ready, but I
am very apprehensive lest food for thee, and thy fellow disci
ples should be wanting, and ye should suffer fromhunger."
These things being heard, the man of God, having strong con
fidence in the Lord, and urgent in his supplications, watered
his sorrowful cheeks with tears, that he might be providedwith food for them, by the Giver of all things ; wherefore
in the course of that day, it happened that a certain mouse
went out of its hole carrying in its mouth a grain of corn
to the blessed Cadoc, and in a playful manner placed it on
a table before his eyes. The same mouse came and re
turned seven times, and hid as many grains in its heap,
shewing by a sign that the divine mercy was present with
him. At length he caught the same little mouse, and tied
it by the foot, that he might diligently search into the
mystery of the affair ; afterwards he sent for the aforesaid
scholastic, drew out the grain, and related to him minutelywhat had been done. Both persons knowing that a miracle
had been made known to them by God, took counsel to
gether, and Cadoc asked and received from a certain widow,
a long and fine thread, which he tied to a foot of the mouse,
and letting it proceed with the loosened thread, he
followed it, until the said little animal came to a certain
mound, under which was a very beautiful subterranean
house, built of old, and full of clean wheat. And^ there it
presently went in, through a dark hole, and soon returned
bringing in its mouth one grain*of corn as before. But
who had built that house, or who had placed there such a
large quantity of corn, is hitherto unknown. But it is most
328 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
certainly known that it was a divine gift granted to the
servant of the Lord, to drive away want from himself, and
from his companions ; which having been seen, Saint Cadoc,
returning to his master and companions, related to themwhat he had seen ; and his master spoke to him, as follows,"
By this, I know that thou art a true worshipper of God,and art strengthened by him in all thy journeys ; wherefore
I the more anxiously desire, with all my heart, that, thou
remain with me for the purpose of reading, so long as it
may please thee." When therefore the servant of God had
heard these words with his ears, he rejoiced not a little,
and said, "If you order, Lord Father, this divine gift to
the poor and hungry, we shall claim the sentence of the
Wise Man, and it shall be deservedly given to us."" He
who hideth corn shall be cursed by the people, and a bless
ing shall be on the head of those who give it." Therefore
while he remained with the aforesaid doctor, he distributed
the corn given to him by God, to all poor persons, giving
to every one in proportion to his poverty. Wherefore as
the fame of this miracle was increasing throughout the
district, the joyful report reached the ears of Brychan, the
grandfather of the blessed Cadoc, with worthy admiration,
who gave to the man of God the part of the field, where
in the corn was found, which is named, Llanspyddid,1
in
which place the man of God built a monastery for himself.
9. OF THE RETURN OF THE BLESSED CADOC TO HIS PRINCIPAL
MONASTERY.
Therefore the blessed Cadoc, when he found himself
sufficiently instructed in the learning of the doctor, commen
ded his oratory to his teacher Bachan, and some of his at
tendants, and returned to his own habitation in his dear
country at Llancarvan. Also another miracle of the same
venerable father is said to have taken place ;for when he
returned to his own town of Llancarvan, from whence he
1 About two miles eastward from Brecknock, where the church is dedicated to St.
Cadoc; which saint however is considered by Professor Rees to be Cadoc, son of
Brychan. Essay on the Welsh Saints, page 143.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 329
had been absent for a length of time, he beheld his princi
pal monastery destroyed, and the rafters of the roofs and
rubbish of the building scattered over the cemetery; and
grieving at the ruin, he earnestly desired, with the permission of God, to rebuild it. Therefore he sent for all his clergyand some workmen, and they all went to a grove for the
purpose of bringing from thence the materials of timber, ex
cepting two youths, namely Finian and Macmoil, who, with
the permission of the man of God, remained that they
might pass the time in reading. Then the steward, the
cook, and sexton coming forwards, scolded them, saying*," How long will you be disobedient, without doing any
good with your fellow disciples? disliking to work, ye eat
the bread of idleness ; therefore hasten to the wood, and
bring the timber here quickly with your companions."
But they answering, said," We are not able to draw
carts after the manner of oxen." But they shewed to
them in derision two stags standing near the wood, and
said as follows,"
Lo, two very strong oxen stand near
the wood, go quickly and catch them." And they going,
through their great haste, left a book open in the place
where they sat, in the open air ; and in the name of Christ
they ordered the stags to stop, who immediately set aside
their wildness, and being gently covered, they submitted
their untamed necks to the yoke.
And they brought home, as domestic oxen, a great beam
fastened to their yoke, which four powerful oxen could
scarcely draw, and then being loosened from their yokewere allowed to return to their pastures. And Saint Cadoc
beholding and greatly admiring what was done, enquired of
them, saying," Who ordered you to come to me to give
your assistance to draw the timber without being dismissed
from your reading?"And they related to him the reproaches
of the aforesaid three persons railing against them; and he,
being inflamed with anger, inflicted a curse on the afore
said three officials, as follows,"
May God do this to them,"
and he added," that those three persons die by the worst
330 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
death of a sword, or be killed by hunger." In that very
hour, a heavy shower of rain fell throughout the whole
district, and the man of God enquired of the aforesaid disci
ples where they had left the book. And they being afraid
said," In the place where we were employed in reading it,
being forgetful through great haste, we left it exposed in
the open air." And the man of God went to it, and great
ly wondering, found the book altogether uninjured by the
rain. Therefore that book is called in memory of the
blessed man, in the British language," Cov Cattwg," that
is," The Memory of Cadoc." Also, it is reported that a
chapel in honour of Saint Finian was built in the place,
where, amidst showers and storms his book was found dry,
and free from rain. From the aforesaid two stags, whowere yoked after the manner of oxen, and drew the cart,
the principal town of Saint Cadoc received from the an
cient British inhabitants, the name Nantcarvan, that is the
Valley of Stags, whence Nantcarban, that is, from a Valleyand a Stag.
10. How SAINT DAVID, BY THE COMMAND OP AN ANGEL, ASSEMBLEDA SYNOD.
In that time, wherein these things were done, Saint
David, a true confessor of God, and a chief Bishop, shone
with great virtues in Britain ; to whom an angel sent from
God said,"
Arise, be not slow, and constitute a synod by
assembling all the clergy, and elders, and aged persons."
To whom, the blessed David said," I am ready, at thy
orders, to perform, if I were worthy, whatever is pleasing to
the Lord, but there is one descended from the nobility of
Britain, who is more worthy by birth, more distinguishedfor sanctity, more sagacious in understanding, and moreskilful in discourse for assembling a synod, whose name is
Cadoc, and he dwells at Glywysig, without whose leave, and
consent, I will not by any means presume to undertake so
great an affair." To whom the angel said,"
Obey my commands, in the smallest matter, nor fear him in any respect,
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 331
for he will not stand in thy way at all in this matter, as he
is at present gone a great way off, and according to what the
angel has said, let both be accomplished." Cadoc indeed had
undertaken a journey, and David after his departure assem
bled a large synod in the city of Brevi.
12. OF THE PEREGRINATION OF THE MAN OF GOD, AND THE CONCEPTIONOF A BARREN QUEEN THROUGH HIS PRAYERS.
Therefore Saint Cadoc went forwards without moneyand satchel, having perfect confidence in God, who says," I say unto you, take no thought for your life, sayingwhat shall we eat, and what shall we drink, neither for
your body, what ye shall put on." And again," Seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all
these things shall be added untoyou,"
and so forth. The
venerable man went forwards, and he was kindly received
by all wherever he came. Shortly afterwards he went from
thence by sea, and favourable breezes of wind swelling the
sails, he landed in the islands of Grimbul. And there he
went up to a certain city of that country, where a very rich
king resided, whose wife was barren, whom he very muchirritated by finding fault with her, saying,
"
Depart from
me, because thou art not worthy of a conjugal husband, for
thy womb is cursed by the Lord, since thou bearest not
fruit on the earth." The queen hearing that saint Cadoc
had come to the city, quickly met him in his walks, and
mournfully besought his kindness, saying," I beseech thee,
most faithful servant of God, that thou wilt deign to inter
cede with the Lord for me, thy miserable servant, for I amaffected with the disgrace of barrenness, as with some griev
ous disease." And the common people, admiring, followed
him as he went on, and all of them, as if with one mouth,
earnestly besought the man of God for her. And the
blessed Cadoc said to her, "Go in peace, the Lord will
grant thee thy petition, in what thou askest for." But she
added, "I wish that thy servant may find grace in thy eyes;
if I should have either a son, or a daughter, I will give him
332 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
up to the service of the Lord all his days, and will consignhim to thy protection. Therefore the king knew his wife
in that night, and the Lord remembered her, and she con
ceived, and afterwards at length brought forth a son, whomshe called by the name Elli.
1
From thence the beloved Cadoc went into Greece, and at
length came to Jerusalem ; where Christ was born, suffered,
was buried, arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
And, as it is most truly reported, a knowledge of the lan
guages of those nations through which, in going and return
ing, he passed, was given him by the Lord, and he spake in
various tongues like to the primitive church of disciples in
the time of Christ. On a certain day, while he was walk
ing about the church of the Lord, he saw in the cemetery,three very beautiful stones which were fit for the perfor
mance of the service of Christ, namely very suitable for an
altar, and he said," I wish that these three very elegant
stones, would by the direction of God, and flying after the
manner birds, be removed to my dear monastery." After
a space of three years, he returned to the aforesaid islands,
and there found the boy Elli, whom the aforesaid barren
queen, after his absence, the time intervening, had broughtforth. Pious Cadoc therefore received him, and carried himon his own shoulders, and protecting him from all injuries,
educated and instructed him ; for he greatly loved him, and
with more than the love of a father and mother, because his
mother had devoted him to God, and had given him to be
protected by him, when indeed he was chosen a servant of
God.
12. OF A CERTAIN LIFE-GUARDSMAN, WHO DISAPPEARED LIKE SMOKEBEFORE THE FACE OF CADOC.
A certain malicious sergeant lived in the town of Gwyn-llwg, a relative of the pious Cadoc, who, during his peregri-
1 The Achau y Saint, published in the lolo MSS. mention a Saint of the name of Elli,in
Brycheiniog, whose commemoration is on the 23rd of February.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 333
nation, through envy, slew his cousin Cynvelyn. And when
he discovered that the memorable man had returned, he was
seized with great fear, and quickly fled from his presence ;
afterwards as the holy man followed him, he vanished before
his eyes, by the direction of God, as dust or smoke before
the wind. Thou wast present, O Christ, exercising the powerof thy majesty, who every where dost exalt the humble
that believe in thee, as it is written, "The friends of God
are greatly honoured."
Moreover, after the man of God had returned to his mo
nastery, he beheld the three wished for stones, which he
had before so much desired at Jerusalem to be carried to
his church, and had prayed devoutly that they might be in
his monastery, become three altars, one of which he gaveto Elli, another to Macmoil, but the third he kept to
himself.
13. OF THE ROBBERS SWALLOWED UP BY THE EARTH.
To this miracle, the divine power performed another not
unlike it, to declare the merits of the blessed man. There
was a certain general named Sawyl, living not far from the
monastery, who, full of wicked desires, came with his ac
complices, to his habitation, and took by force from thence
meat and drink, and his attendants, as well as himself, eat
and drank by turns ; and the clergy sighing on account of
such disgrace, entered the church, which occasionally was
deprived of the presence of the man of God, and devoutly
requested from the Lord, the castigation of the invaders.
And when they wept with great lamentation, the holy man
came unexpectedly, and enquired of them the cause of so
much sorrow, to whom relating the occasion, he spoke with
a confident countenancce," Have patience, for patience is the
mother of all virtues, suffer them to load their hearts with
surfeiting and drunkenness, and being drunk, they will also
fall asleep, and while they are sleeping, shave off with very
sharp razors the half part of their beard and hair, to their
very great disgrace, and also in like manner, cut off the lips2 u
334 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
and ears of their horses;" and they did as they were ordered.
Then the wicked robbers having digested in their sleep a little
of the superfluity of food, at length awoke, and stupid from
their excessive drinking, mount their horses, and commencetheir journey as soon as they could. Then the man of Godsaid to his clergy,
" Let every one of you put on his cloth
ing and shoes, and go to meet your enemy, for otherwise
you will be killed, for he will return and slay us, from the
greatest to the least, with the sword, when he will discover
that they were derided by us." Each person therefore puton his clothes, and Saint Cadoc likewise was clothed with
his garment, and nearly fifty clergymen followed him, to
meet the destructive tyrant with songs, and hymns, and
psalms. And when they ascended a certain mound, SawylPenuchel1 and his attendants came down to meet them.
Then before the eyes of the servant of God, the earth
opened its mouth, and swallowed up the tyrant with his
companions alive, on account of their wickedness, lest they
might cruelly slay the man of God, and his clergy. Andthe ditch, where thy were swallowed up, is known unto this
day by all persons there passing; which always remaining
open in testimony of this thing, is not allowed to be filled
up by any one.
And Cadoc of good memory, and his clergy returned to
their own residence with great triumph, glorifying God, and
singing the Ambrosian hymn," Te Deum laudamus," and
what follows to the end. These things having been performed, the blessed Cadoc, his brethren being present,blessed them in the following manner, saying,
" Blessed are
ye in the Lord, and this blessed discourse and your counsel
will give this privilege and prerogative in the Lord to youtwelve barbers, designating the typical number of the twelve
apostles, and all the rest holding your turn in this town to
posterity. If judgment, and useful counsel be wanting in
1Sawyl Penuchel was son of Pabo Post Prydain, and father of Saint Asaph. His
name is generally included among the Welsh Saints.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 335
all the courts, let it be found here amongst you; if twelve
appointed wise men should be wanting, let the counsel
of twelve irregular clergy be had; if twelve clergymen
should not be present, then let judgment and advice be
permitted to twelve young boys, virgins, and undefiled
women.
14. OF THE INDULGENCE TO SAINT DAVID FOR ASSEMBLING
THE SYNOD.
Some of the disciples of the blessed man being assembled
together, spoke to each other," Which of us will under
take to relate to our master, the things that were done in
Britain by Saint David whilst he travelled abroad?" To
this they were all silent, nor would any one presume to
mention the matter to him; they cast lots therefore in this
business, and the lot fell upon Finnian. Therefore Saint
Finnian arose in the midst of the brethren with great tre
pidation, and placing himself at the feet of the man of God,
devoutly begged that he would not be angry with him,
and he related how an universal synod had been assembled
by Saint David whilst he travelled abroad. Which thing
greatly displeased him, and he became very angry with
Saint David for inflicting such disgrace, and he passed a
day and night in fasting. Also in the same night, an angel
of the Lord came to him, and spoke as follows, "I beseech
thee not to be angry with thy brother," for it is read in the
epistle of John," He who hateth his brother is a murderer,"
for the irregularity of this business was allowed to blessed
David by angelic intervention ;wherefore the angel said in
addition, "Because thou hast obeyed my voice, and at myintreaty hast forgiven what was committed against thee, the
Lord my God will deliver thy castle full of the souls of
men from eternal punishment, in the day ofjudgment; and
as many shaggy hairs as are in thy cloak, a kind of garment,
which the Irish wear out of doors, full of prominent shaggy
hairs, wove into a kind of plush, so many men will be deliver
ed by thee from eternal punishment. And also on every sab-
336 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
bath, from this night for ever, one soul will be liberated
from eternal torments for thy love; and all thy familiar
friends who will die in this place, will be free from infernal
punishment; and what is more, whatever thou dost request of
God, will begranted."
Then blessed Cadoc, rejoicing, arose
in the town, and mentioned the angelic promises to his dis
ciples, saying, "Ye boys, praise the Lord, praise the nameof the Lord, for his mercy is confirmed to us, and the truth
of the Lord will remain for ever."
15. OF THE MANSION OF SAINT CADOC IN THE TIME OF LENT.
In the days of Lent, Saint Cadoc was accustomed to re
side in two islands, Barren and Echni.1 On Palm Sunday,he came to Nantcarvan, and there remained, performingPaschal service, feeding daily one hundred clergymen, and
one hundred soldiers, and one hundred workmen, and one
hundred poor persons, with the same number of widows.
This was the number of his family, besides serving attend-
ants and esquires and well-dressed guests, the number of
which was uncertain, a multitude of whom frequently cameto him. Nor is it to be wondered at, for being rich he
was able to feed so many, being an Abbot and a Prince
over the territory of his progenitor; from Fynnon Hen,2 that
is, from the Old Fountain, as far as the mouth of the river
Rhymny; and he possessed all the territory from the river
Gulich3to the river Nadauan,
3 from Pentyrch direct to the
valley of Nantcarvan: and from that valley to the Gurimi,4
that is the Lesser Rhymny, towards the sea.
1Barry island, and the Flat Holmes, in the Bristol Channel.
aPresuming Fynnon Hen to have been somewhere near the river Usk, the boundaries
of Cadoc s patrimonial inheritance agrees with the prescribed limits of Glywysig, see
page 309.a The rivers Golych and Dawon, or Daw, in Glamorganshire ;
the former falls into
the latter, which empties itself into the British Channel at Aberthaw.4 Gwy Rymi, probably the stream which runs near Cadoxton juxta Barry, and falls
into the Bristol Channel, near Barry island.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 337
16. HOW THE EARTH SWALLOWED UP THE ROBBERS ALIVE;AND OP THE
CONVERSION OF SAINT ILTUTUS.1
On a certain day, when Saint Cadoc sat in his chair
teaching the people, fifty of the soldiers of a certain regulus,
namely Poul with the surname of Penychen, who with hawks
catched birds, came to take food from him whether he would
or no; to whom, it is said, he ordered twenty wheaten
loaves to be given, and a tierce that is a vessel, full of ale,
and a fat grazing sow. All these being taken, and carried
off by them to the field of Meditullium, which is called
Medgard, not far from the town, and there deposited, they
sat down about the tierce of ale, in order and in the form
of a circle surrounding it; and having cut up the pig into
small pieces, they carefully prepared them to dinner. There
was a certain military officer in that warfare, named Illtyd,
who was absent when they committed the crime, but
they would by no means presume to dine before his return.
Therefore while they waited for him, and abstained on that
account from the prepared food, lo, Illtyd came suddenly ;
but before he alighted from his horse, the ground unex
pectedly broke under them, and in the twinkling of an eye,
they were overwhelmed in a deep abyss, according to what
David has mentioned," The earth opened its mouth, and
swallowed Dathan, and covered the congregation of Abi-
ram." But the food and the tierce of beer which I have
mentioned, were carried by a divine miracle to a certain
mound, and it was settled that they should remain un
touched and undefiled.
The aforesaid Illtyd beholding these things with his own
eyes, hastened his chariot, and falling down at the feet of
the blessed Cadoc, mentioned how the divine vengeance had
destroyed his companions, that is the guards of the afore
said regulus, for the injury they had done to him. Also
1 Saint Illtyd, was certainly contemporary with Cadoc ap Gwynlliw, although the
Welsh accounts of him would lead one to suppose that he lived half a century earlier, as
he is made to appear as the nephew or great nephew of Saint Germanus, bishop of Aux-crre. W.
338 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the same officer besought the man of God, with earnest en
treaties, in the name of the divine majesty, that he would
grant to him the monastic habit, and would intimate the
same by giving him the marks of service, as the shaving of
his hair and beard. Then he complying with his entreaties,
the said officer, leaving his earthly warfare, and renouncing
altogether secular weapons, and paying obedience to divine
ordinances, gave himself up to observe with all his mightthe doctrines of his master. Whence it is said,
" The earth
has covered them, never to return to the world." Illtydbelieved such acts as he had seen; he who had been a vic
torious soldier through many cities, changed his warfare for
obtaining the highest crown, being made a monk, he profited in various ways. Therefore the man of the Lord sent
some young men, who brought the aforesaid meat and drink,
and therewith satisfied as many poor persons as there wereof robbers, who had been before disagreeably disappointed.
17. OF AN ARCHITECT BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY SAINTCADOC.
Also, at another time, when the blessed Cadoc again de
parted from thence, being desirous to exhibit elsewhere a ser
vice devoted to God, came by the divine direction to a certain
city placed near a great river, which is called Neath, and
beholding the place, presently gave orders that a house of
prayer should be there built for him. Workmen to the
number of twelve proceeding to the wood, for the purposeof felling timber for building the oratory, informed the
whole country what was going on. Wherefore it happenedthat a certain Irishman, named Linguri, a stranger, but a
skilful architect, being forced by poverty, came to him withhis children, that by the practice of his skill, he might procure food for himself and family, and he was gladly received
by the man of God, and engaging in the work, with twelve
workmen, very soon excelled them all in skill and ability.But the other twelve envying him, wickedly killed him;and cutting off his head, they fastened a great stone to the
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 339
trunk of his body, and cast it into a deep pool. When they,
according to custom returned home, the sons of the skilful
person not seeing their father as usual, wept with lamen
table expressions. And when the man of God heard the
wailing, he quickly enquired the cause of such mournful
lamentation.
The workmen thereupon being quickly called together,
excused themselves with all their might, and with much
cavilling asserted that they did not know what had become
of the aforesaid architect. Therefore the man of God in
order to be informed of their wickedness, passed the night
with all his clergy in watching and prayer, that therein the
truth of the matter might be declared to them. In the
morning when prayers were ended, lo, the beheaded archi
tect, carrying his head in his bosom, and a large stone on
his back, and wet and bloody, with a woeful and horrid
countenance, appeared to the venerable man, and his disci
ples. Wonderful to be said, but easily to be effected by
God, the head which had been cut off spoke as follows :
" Servant of God, fix me on the neck, in the former state,
and I will relate to thee every thing concerning this matter,
which hitherto are unknown to thee." And he did as re
quested. And the murdered architect, Linguri, related to
him the dreadful crime of the aforesaid twelve workmen,
and how that being excited by envy, they had villainously
slain him. To whom he said in answer," Choose which you
wish to have of these two things, whether to live again in this
mortal state, and become a future dead body, or to return
to eternal life to reign for ever with God." And he said,
"Sir, that my soul may return to eternal life." And
while he yet spoke, he expired. Therefore the holy
man ordered his disciples to place the aforesaid stone, which
the murdered architect had carried on his back, upright
in the earth, near the wood, in memory of the miracle, and
to bury him there nigh to it, and directed that all the
township should be called after his name Lanlynguri.1 Also
1 Probablv Glvnleiros near jSTeath.
340 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
by this stone, the Lord cures those who cannot hold their
urine, and are afflicted with divers kinds of diseases, for the
love of Saint Cadoc and Lynguri, to this very day.
18. OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN SAINT CADOC AND KING ARTHUR,RESPECTING THE RECONCILIATION OF A CERTAIN PERSON.
Therefore at that time, a certain brave general of the Bri
tons, named Ligessawc1 the son of Eliman, who had also the
surname of Lawhir, that is Long Hand, slew three soldiers
of Arthur, the most illustrious king of Britain; and Arthur
pursuing him every where, he found no safe place, and no
one ventured to protect him for fear of the aforesaid king ;
until at length being wearied by very frequent flights, he
came a fugitive to the man of God. Who commiseratinghis labours kindly received him, trusting in the Lord, and
not fearing Arthur, according to our Lord s command," Fear not those who kill the body, and cannot kill the
soul, but rather fear him who can kill both body and soul
in hell." Therefore he remained with him safe in the
country of Gwynllwg, without the knowledge of Arthur, for
seven years. Which being passed, he wras betrayed to the
said king, and the same at last came with a large force of
soldiers to the river Usk, for the sake of pleading in a trial
at law, for he dared not to contend with violence against
the man of God. Therefore he sent ambassadors to the
king, and enquired of him if he would refer the dispute to
the verdict of skilful judges. And he acquiesced, for Saint
Cadoc having sent for three principal persons from divers
parts of the country, namely David and Teilo and Dochu,2
and also Keneder3 and Maidoc,4 with many other clergymen,
and senior judges of all Britain, who, assembling on the
1Ligessawc son of Eliman, may perhaps be the Llyngessog of the Liber Landavensis,
p. 391, living in the time of Saint Oudoceus.3 Saint Oudoceus, afterwards Bishop of Llandaff.aProbably Saint Cynidr, a grandson, or great grandson of Brychan; and founder
of the churches of Llangynidr and Aberyscir, in Brecknockshire.4 Aeddan Foeddog, Saint Aidus. See his life and that of Saint David; also Pro
fessor Rees s Welsh Saints, p. 227, and the Liber Landavensis, p. 337.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 341
banks of the great river Usk, met together, he precedingthem. There also, after the manner of enemies, they dis
puted the matter with bitter words, from both sides of the
river, and contended for a length of time against each
other. After an intermission in the altercation, the more
skilful of some of the judges decreed that Arthur ought to
receive for the redemption of every one of his men, who was
slain, three very good oxen. Others however fixed that one
hundred cows should be given as the price of every personwho had been killed
;for from ancient times the judgment
among the Britons was of this kind, and the price was ap
pointed by the ministers of kings and generals. This being
accepted, Arthur, in an insolent manner, refused cows of one
colour, but would have those of two colours, viz: with the
fore part red, and the hind part white, and required those
so distinguished by colour, with much wrangling. And they,
being altogether ignorant where cattle of that colour were
to be found, were in doubt what they should do respectingthem. Therefore the man of God, in the name of three
persons, ordered young men of the company, to the numberof nine, or more as some say, to bring to him one hundred
heifers, of whatever colour they might be. And when the said
animals were brought before his eyes and those of other
servants of God, they were, on account of the preverse desire
of Arthur, immediately turned into the aforesaid colours.
And the company of all the clergy, and many other
faithful worshippers of God, who had been assembled bythe blessed man, beholding this miracle, greatly rejoiced,
and glorified God. Moreover the man of God consulted
what ought justly to be done respecting the aforesaid
cattle, and an answer was given from one of the sides of
the company of judges," It is right that thou shouldest
drive them in a flock to the middle of the ford." Therefore
he drove them until Arthur Kai and Bedwyr with others
sitting on the banks of the river met them; and Kai and
Bedwyr, greatly desiring to have them, drew them by their
horns with their hands to the river s side; but immediately,
342 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
whilst they were in their hands, they were by the direction of
changed into bundles of fern. Which miracle being seen God
by Arthur, he humbly intreated the blessed man that the
injury which he had inflicted on him should be forgivenhim. And pardon for the offence was granted to him, ac
cording to the evangelical precept,"
Forgive and ye shall
beforgiven."
Therefore the aforesaid king, having entered into counsel
with his army, granted him his refuge for seven years, and
for as many months, and for the same number of days.
If any stranger therefore in some appointed time, should
leave the town of Cadoc, desiring greatly to depart and
sail to some distant part of the world, and by chance
through the force of storms, or by contrary winds in a tem
pest, be driven to his harbour that is barren, and again re
turn to his former refuge or place, according to the tradi
tion of the elders, he is to be attended with service, and
readily received to the last term of his life. This, Arthur,
and all his generals with all the elders of Britain corrobo
rating it, said," We also, in the hearing of you all, bear
witness to the words of this decree, whoever will trans
gress them, may God add to him all the plagues written in
the old and new law, and may his name be blotted from
the book of life. But whoever will keep them, may he be
filled with all the blessings of the old and new Testament, and
may they descend and remain upon him, and also may his
soul be settled in eternalglory."
The council being finished,
all the cows which had been changed into bundles of fern,
were found safe in the stalls of their owners. And from that
day, the place is called in the British language, Trefredinauc,
The Town of Fern. All persons returning peaceably from
the trial, Saint Cadoc gave three villages to the said no
bles, one to David, another to Teilo, and the third to Doc-
guinnus. The names of which villages, and of their posses
sors, are as follow : to the blessed David he gave Llan-
dewi Penybei; to Teilo Merthyr Teemed; and to Dogu-uinnus Landubrguir.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 343
19. OF THE REVENGE ON THE KING OF NORTH WALES FOR THEINJURY DONE TO THE MAN OF GOD.
Also another miracle, known to all the Britons residing
in those parts, is ascribed to the same holy patron. In those
days, a certain king, of the name of Maelgon,1
reigned over
all Britain, who sent some of his young men to the region
of Gwynllwg, that they might there receive tribute. Who
coming to the house of the steward of Cadoc, seized his
very beautiful daughter, and took her away with them.
And the men of Gwynllwg assembling together, pursued
them, and killing some, and wounding many more, the rest
escaped to their master. Which being done, the aforesaid
king became greatly excited with anger, and collecting his
troops, they formed a camp in the district of Gwynllwg, near
a fountain, which, in their language, is called Ffynon Brit-
trou;that they might, on the following day, plunder all the
country. Which being heard, the inhabitants of Gwynllwgwere much frightened, and related the matter to the man
of God, as follows,"
Maelgon, king of North Wales, has
come to our borders with his troops, and to-night he re
mains with his army nigh to the Brittrou fountain ; and to
morrow he will lay waste all your territory, and all the
males will he furiously slay. Therefore assist us, who are
feeble miserable and unarmed, by making peace with the
cruel king, for otherwise we shall die.
Those words being heard, the man of God said to the
messenger, "Proceed quickly, and we will follow thee."
And he, with three clergymen, followed the messenger by
night, until they came to Gwynllwg, and the inhabitants of
that district being affected with hostile fear, met them, and
with great lamentation, besought him, saying,"
Lord, assist
us, and by thy great clemency, deliver us, because whatever
thou dost request of the Lord thou dost obtain." He
1Maelgon, or Maelgwn Gwynedd, died about the year 560, of the yellow plague. He
was therefore contemporary with St. David, Teilo, Oudoceus, Gildas, and Cadoc.
344 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
answered them," Be ye comforted in the Lord, and be firm
and not afraid ;let us act well towards God, and he will
reduce our enemies tonothing."
Then Saint Cadoc, having
great confidence in God, departed from thence, and near
the camp of his enemies, prayed apart, his disciples being a
short distance from him. When morning came, he arose
from prayer, and lo, a pillar of a cloud preceded him,
which also covering all the tents, and troops of the afore
said king, hid them, and the day was as a dark night to them,
so that no one was able to see another. Then in the mid
dle of the darkness, the holy man appeared before the
tent of the king, and saluting him, said," God save you, O
king. I beseech thee, if I have found favour in thy eyes
that thou wilt kindly hear my words." To whom the king
said, "I am ready, speak on," and he said, "Why hast
thou come to my country, with an armed force for the
purpose of plundering and destroying, and especially as
we by no means deserved it?" To this the king said,
" I confess that I have sinned against thee, but I the more
earnestly beseech thy holiness, that thou wilt be merciful
to me for what has been done, and wilt forgive it to me,
and that by thy intervention, the darkness may depart,
whereby we may return uninjured to our own habitations,
and all thy country remain in constantpeace."
The manof God answered, "Thy very great crimes are forgiven
thee." And while he was speaking, the light of summer,
spread all around, and instantly shone with brightness on the
camp. When therefore the king saw this miracle, he arose
from his royal chair and he fell on his face and said, "I affirm
and ratify the refuge which Arthur, the bravest of heroes,
bestowed upon thee, and whoever of my offspring will ab
breviate it, may he be cursed, and whoever will observe it,
may he be blessed; and to-day I choose thee before all others
to be my confessor among South Wales men. And so it
was done. And every one returned peaceably to his own
country.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 345
2.0 OF THE BLINDING OF KING RHUN, FOR THE INJURY DONETO SAINT CADOC.
In the course of some years afterwards, Rhun son of the
aforenamed king Maelgon, came from the North, with a
numerous army of North Wales men, on an expedition,
that he might rob the southern Britons of their possessions
and riches, and utterly ravage the country. And the army
being assembled in the sight of Maelgon, he strictly order
ed the aforesaid Rhun his son, and all the troops of the
expedition, not to inflict any injury on Saint Cadoc, because
he was his confessor, nor take from his territory one small
horned beast without his consent. "And this," said he," will be a sign to you ; when you come to the land of his
country, ye will find his cattle freely feeding in the pastures,
and the men depending on our friendship, confident and
not frightened, and therefore let them be entirely free from
suffering anything from war, since I and their master are
connected by a familiar and spiritual covenant. Then they
promised with an oath to observe this command of the
king. When they came to the country of Gorwenydd, theyformed a camp in Caer Trigued, which when the men of
Gorwenydd saw, being affrighted they fled from them, and
hid themselves in woods, and thickets, and dens, and caves
of the earth. And the inhabitants of Penychen, which
were beyond the river Nadawan, and all the people of the
of the country submitted. When they drove much plunder to the camp, twelve esquires rode the horses from
the flocks of the king to give them water. And when
they had given water to their horses, they themselves
being thirsty and not able to drink the warm water of the
spring, said to each other," Let us ride to the barn of Ca
doc, which was reported to be at that time in the farm of
1 Rhun, son of Maelgon Gwynedd, is noticed in the Welsh Triads as one of the three
fair and golden-banded princes of the isle of Britain; but the character given of him in
the Romance of Taliesin is not a very fovourable one. See Lady Charlotte Guest s Mabi-
nogion, Vol. III. The plundering expeditions of Rhun and his father, here recorded,are likely enough to have been founded in fact, and are quite in keeping with the charac
ter of the chieftains of those days.
346 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the cowherd, that we may have a sufficiency of milk to
drink, for there is always plenty to be had at thatplace."
The twelve persons went there quickly, and addressingthe steward roughly, asked him to give them some milk to
drink ;who being angry refused to give them any, saying,
"Are not ye silly, thinking that our master is not a man of
great honour and dignity, for he has a family of the numberof three hundred persons, that is, one hundred clergymen,and as many soldiers, and the same number of workmen,besides women and children." Then being angry, they rose
in a great fury, and taking firebrands in their hands, and
mounting their horses, endeavoured to put the barn on fire;
but through the power of God, it would not burn, but onlysmoked. At that very time, the aforesaid Rhun was in his
tent playing at dice with his eunuchs, and the smoke, like
a wooden post, went from the barn of Saint Cadoc in a di
rect course to his tent, and deprived of eye-sight all whowere at the place. But the king, ashamed to mention whathad taken place, exhorted the eunuchs to play,
"
Play,"said
he ; but they answered," With our eyes open, we cannot
seeanything." Then at last, the king confessed that the
same had also happened to him. Having called to him all
the generals and the nobles, and the knights, he enquiredwhether it so happened that any one of their companionshad inflicted any disgrace on the blessed man.
But they altogether denied the crime; then said the king," Make diligent enquiry in the camp, whether any of your
companions have been absent today."
And when theymade the enquiry, they found that twelve esquires had been
absent, who being brought forward, the king said to them,:< Where have you been absent to-day, and what bad thinghave ye done? mention every particular, for it is manifest to
us that ye have to-day committed a great crime." Thenhis esquires told him the truth. And without delay, he
caused Saint Cadoc to come to him; to whom he said,
"Blessed art thou by the Lord, thy entrance has been
peaceable, and I have sinned against God, and before thee."
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 347
And he said," Mention what thou hast done." And he re
lated the matter, as follows," Some of my attendants at
tacked thy granary, or barn, to set it on fire without myknowledge, on which account, I know that this misfortune
of blindness has happened to us, therefore I humbly implore
thy benignity that thou wilt be indulgent to me in my mi
serable state, so that our blindness may be taken away, and
clearness of sight, through thy intercession, may be restored
to oureyes."
On Saint Cadoc praying, they received their
former eyesight; which having taken place, the king in
creased his refuge, as pious Arthur and the father of the
aforesaid Rhun had constituted it, confirming it, and declar
ing the sentence for not observing it. "If any one," said he," will break this refuge, let him be excommunicated, but
whoever will keep it, may he be loved by God and man."
The king having said these words, gave to him his own
messenger with complete horse accoutrements and three
principal articles of armour, namely, a shield, a sword, and a
spear, and all things that he brought with him, besides
what were necessary for his sustenance, which he reserved.
These things having been accomplished, they returned to
their respective habitations. The blessed Cadoc gave the
sword which had been presented to him by king Rhunto Gwrgan Varius,
1 who then reigned in Glamorgan,with half part of the fish of the river Usk, that he mighthave seven of them for food during Lent at Llancarvan.
Also he gave the horse with all his trappings to the kingfor one half the fish of the river Neath, so that he mighthave at Llanmaes during every Lent both boiled and roast
food and provisions. He was also possessor of two wooden
horses, so very swift that no man could equal them in speed
1 This name has thus been left untranslated, although the Welsh rendering of the samewould be Gwrgan Frych, {the Freckled ;)
but according to the lolo MSS. the only kingof that name, who reigned in Glamorgan, lived several generations prior to the era of
Saint Cadoc; it may therefore be presumed that there has been some error in transcribingthe above name. There was, however, a regulus in South Wales, called Gwrgan Mawr,who was contemporary with Saint Cadoc, see Liber Landavensis, page 354, but his dominions are not defined, although he is mentioned as contemporary with Tewdrig apTeithfallt, kiug of Glamorgan, and was father of Onbrawst wife of Meurig ap Tewdrig.
348 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
in travelling ; on which his servant brought to him neces
saries from all parts. And it was a day s journey for the
wooden horses in going and returning from Llancarvan to
Neath and Brycheiniog.
21. OF THE DELIVERANCE OF KING RHUN FROM THE HANDS OF THEMEN OF GWYNLLWG.
The third miracle which God did by Saint Cadoc, in tes
timony of the written refuge of his son-in-law at Gwynllwg,Rhun, the son of Brychan, uncle of the same, going from his
territories, plundered and laid waste the province of Gwynllwg as far as the sea. Therefore the men of Gwynllwgrose against his army, and put him to flight, and defeated
his men at the place called Pwll Rhun, and at Pwll Ruddand Lithion and Pwll Gweddillion, which places received
their names from them. The aforesaid Rhun was besieged
by the men of Gwynllwg, for they altogether dared not to
kill the uncle of their master without his orders. Therefore
the blessed Cadoc came, and delivered the aforesaid Rhunfrom being beseiged, and he received from him a confession
of his crimes, and a confirmation of the refuge, which pious
Maelgon and Arthur had granted and ratified to him. AndRhun said as follows,
" For the future, since thou hast deli
vered me," he said,"
may every person born in my nation,
who shall not obey the men of Gwynllwg, and break the
covenant which I have made with Saint Cadoc, be cursed."
Therefore Saint Cadoc prayed to the Lord, that he would
give him a king, who for him should govern his kingdom;and Meurig, son of Enhinti, was given to him; and he gaveto him his sweetheart, named Debunn, with all the country.Therefore Saint Cadoc went out to meet him; and receiving
Gwynllwg, he blessed them, and commanded that theyshould keep his refuge, according to the agreement whichhad been previously made with Maelgon and Arthur; and
Meurig undertook to observe this agreement before these
witnesses ; of the clergy, David, Kenedir, Eliud, (Teilo,) 111-
tyd, Maidoc, Cannou, and many others. And blessed Cadoccommended Meurig, saying,
" Patronize my country and in-
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 349
heritance of Gwynllwg, and let it free from all fiscal tribute,
except that the men shall go with thee in the army to battle
three days, and three nights, and if they shall be longer
with thee, thou shalt give them provisions."And Meurig
said, "May it be so for ever." And the man of God
added," Blessed be he who will keep the substance of this
agreement; and whoever will not observe it, may he be
cursed by God, and all his saints;" and all the clergy said,
"AMEN."
22. OF THE JOURNEY OF SAINT CADOC INTO SCOTLAND, AND THE MIRACLES
THERE PERFORMED BY HIM.
Again, another miracle worthy of being recorded, divine
authority deigned to perform for the praise of his name, and
the glory of his faithful servant Cadoc. On a certain day,
he spoke to his disciples who were assembled together, as
follows," Since by divine direction, I have for the love of
God gone thrice to Jerusalem, and seven times to Rome,
it now remains that I should go to the church of Saint Andrew the apostle, which is known to have been built in
Albania, which is commonly called Scotland; wherefore, I
appoint for you, in my place, the rector and prelate Elli,
my pupil, whom we know to be constantly attentive from
his infancy to obey divine ordinances, and to be well skilled
in evangelical doctrines; to whose instructions in those things
attend with diligence to the best of your ability."And they
said," Whatever may please thee, we will willingly agree
to." Then the man of God arose, and went with three of
his disciples to Scotland, and proceeded to the aforesaid
church of Saint Andrew ; and whilst he was returning, and
had come to a certain city, which is near to the mountain
Bannawc, and said to be situated in the middle of Scotland,
in that night while there was a pause, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying," The Lord thy God
orders thee through me, not to depart hence, but rather
that thou remain here for the space of seven years for the
purpose of converting the people in this place to faith in
2 Y
350 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the Lord. The man of God here remained the appointedtime, teaching the heathen people, and curing all the
diseased.
On a certain day, when Cadoc was digging the groundabout his constructed monastery, he found a collar bone of
some ancient hero, of incredible size, through which, wonderful to be said, a champion might ride without inconvenience.
Which being found, Saint Cadoc wondering, said, "I will
not go for either meat or drink, but I shall pray for meat,and shed tears for drink, until this wonderful thing, whatever it may be, is explained to us." And in the same night,the voice of an angel from heaven addressed him saying,"Lo the entreaty of thy prayer is acceptable to the ears of
the Lord; for what thou hast humbly requested of God, he
will grant to thee; but do thou encourage thy clergy, and
the rest of the people with words, lest they should be
affrighted, if any thing happen to them. For to-morrow,
an old giant will arise in the first hour of the day, who
may assist the men indigging." Having heard these
things, when he rose in the morning, he related to the
people what the angel had mentioned. And while he was
yet speaking to the people, there appeared to them a hor
rible revived and immense giant, altogether exceeding the
human form in size.
Which having been seen, the inhabitants of the town be
ing terrified, said, "Lo, a phantom transfigured into the
form of a man, is come to seduce us." But the monstrous
hero immediately placed himself at the feet of the man of
God, and said, "Holy Cadoc, eminent servant of God,blessed art thou by God and man; I earnestly beseech thy
benignity, that thou wilt not by any means permit my miserable soul, hitherto suffering dreadful punishment in hell,
to go thereagain."
"What saint art thou," said Cadoc, "or
of what family wert thou descended, and also thy departurefrom this life minutely relate." The giant answered,
" I
reigned formerly for many years beyond the mountain Ban-
nawc; it happened that by the instigation of the devil, I and
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 351
all my robbers came to these coasts, for the sake of plun
dering, and laying them waste. The king who reigned
over this country at that time, pursuing us with his troops,
a battle was fought between us, and I and my army were
slain. From the very day of my being killed, we have been
hitherto tormented in the devouring flames of hell, but mypunishment exceeds in torture the torments of others, be
cause in all these things I have sinned against the great
God, as the Scripture saith," The powerful shall suffer the
greater torments." The man of God enquired, by what
name was he called. And he answered," I am called for a
long time Caw, with the surname Prydyn or Cawr.1 To
whom, said the man of God,"
Rejoice, and be of a cheerful
mind, for it is granted to me by God that thou shalt live
longer in this world, and for the course of thy present life,
if thou wilt exhibit faithful and devoted obedience to God,
and wilt humbly obey my doctrines, and wilt perform due
satisfaction for thy sins, thy soul will at length be removed
from the mournful prison of the body to eternal glory, and
there happily reign with God in a state of happiness."To
these words the giant thus answered," All the things that
you have ordered appear light to me, and I will willingly
perform them effectually."Therefore from that day, to the
death of the man of God, the digger performed by digging
what had been commanded him. That the miracle mighttherefore increase in celebrity throughout Scotland, the
Scottish reguli gave him four and twenty villages.
23. OF THE BELL WHICH SAINT GILDAS REFUSED TO PART WITH TO
THE MAN OF GOD.
The divinely appointed time of seven years having been
at length terminated, the blessed Cadoc returned from
thence to his own country, namely Llancarvan, and there
lived. But it is not to be passed over that a certain emi
nent Briton, a scholar, and a very excellent writer of the
1Caw, lord of Cwm Cawlwyd, in North Britain, well known as the progenitor of a
large family of Welsh Saints.
352 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
name of Gildas, the son of Caw, a skilful artist, came hither
from the borders of Ireland, with a very beautiful spotted
Bell, and received from him hospitality for one night at
Llancarvan, who particularly noticing the said Bell, struck
it. And as the beauty, and the sound, and the colour
pleased him, he implored the said Gildas that he would be
so kind as to sell the bell to him. He refused, saying," I
will not sell it, for I shall offer it upon the altar of Saint
Peter at Rome." And the blessed Cadoc with earnest en
treaties said," I will fill it with pence for thee." Gildas
also refused the offered sum a second time. Then he added,
"I will give thee as much pure gold as it will contain." Herefused, for he would by no means part with it, asserting that
he had solemnly given it with a vow to God and Saint
Peter, and that with the favour of God, he should givewhat he had vowed; since Solomon thus saith, "A foolish
and unfaithful promise is displeasing to God."
Then the said Gildas went to Rome with the Bell, and
showed it to the Roman Pope Alexander,1
saying, "I will
offer this bell made by me, and brought here from as far as
Ireland, to God and Saint Peter on his altar. The same
high Pontiff of the apostolic see, carefully examined it, and
endeavoured by striking it, to find out its sound to his ears;
but it did not produce any sound. Then the Pope, much
wondering, asked the clergyman," How is it that thy bell
has an iron tongue, or clapper, and does not sound; so that
it is turned to the nature of lead, although it is iron?
Shew," said he, "how it may sound immediately."
And he answered," My Lord, a certain holy man named
Cadoc living in Britain, received me at his place of enter
tainment in this journey of peregrination, and was the last
that struck the bell, when it gave a sweet sound." Towhom the Pope replied, "The man of whom thou dost
speak, has been long known to me, for he has been here
1 There does not appear to have been any Pope of this name contemporary with SaintCadoc.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 353
seven times, and in Jerusalem thrice, going abroad to obtain
forgiveness for the souls of his parents and companions."
The Pope took the bell again, and blessed it, and said, -
"Take this bell, blessed and consecrated by me, to the
blessed Cadoc, that in this mouth important oaths may be
made, and the refuge of all Britain firmly remain; and for
these two reasons the Britons shall reverence the bell, be
cause it has been blessed by me, and will be possessed bySaint Cadoc. For I have heard of the incredulity of that
nation, and of its rebellious perverseness, therefore I will
send this, that by it they may cordially agree and make
peace; also if any will perjure himself thereon, unless he
will perform due penance, he will be accursed both here
and hereafter."
These words having been pronounced by the apostolic
prefect, the blessed Gildas taking the oft-mentioned bell,
and travelling homewards, brought it to the blessed Cadoc,
who remained at Llancarvan, and related to him all that
had been injoined to him by the apostolic prefect relating
to the bell. Therefore he admired the bell more earnestlythan before, and immediately he struck it with his hands,
to produce melodious sounds, and immediately of itself by
sounding it produced a melody, which it had before refused
before the Pope. Likewise ancient learned men amongthe Britons assert that the Lord for love to Saint Cadoc,
has through this Bell raised to life two persons from the
dead, and still testify when they were so raised. They also
mention that it twice spoke with human speech, and also
spoke a third time.
24. OF THE DEATH OP GwYNLLIW THE FATHER OF SAINT CADOC.
Therefore it happened that Gwynlliw, the father of Saint
Cadoc, was ill with a mortal disorder, and he sent one of his
servants, named Istan, for his son Cadoc, that he mightcome as soon as possible to him; who proceeded quickly,until he came to the Taf, which, at that time, was of such
depth and breadth that no person on horseback, or on foot
354 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
could pass across, unless he was taken by the rowing of
a boat. For the breadth of the river at that time extended
from the ford of Pennugual to the hill of king Morgan,1
which, in the language of that country, was named Rhiw
Morgan. Therefore the aforesaid messenger not finding a
boat to cross the river, called aloud on a certain unmarried
hermit, named Tylyuguay,2 who lived on the other side of
the river, affectionately imploring him to go as quickly as
he could to blessed Cadoc, and inform him of the cause of
his infirmity; by which intreaties the aid of the hermit was
effectually obtained; and the blessed Cadoc with twenty
disciples came to the house of the aforesaid Tylyuguay;and there he was hospitably entertained that night with all
his companions. Tylyuguay went as usual to the river for
the purpose of fishing, for the pious man was accustomed to
go a fishing every night and to catch a fish; but on that
night twenty-four came into the net for the supper of blessed
Cadoc and his companions. Also when the blessed man was
thirsty, he asked for drink to be given him; to whom Tylyuguay answered,
" We have nothing, Sir, to drink that is
proper for drinking, and besides the spring is a great wayoff." To whom the man of the Lord reached out his stick,
1Morgan ab Athrwys, generally called Morgan Mwynfawr. In the lolo MSS. it is
stated that he succeeded Gwynlliw, as regulus of Glywysig, and in the Liber Landavensishe is called king of Glywysig. His grandfather Meurig ap Tewdrig, king of Glamorgan,died about 575, when Oudoceus was bishop of Llandaff, and was succeeded by Athrwys,whose reign appears to have been but short, and at whose decease, Morgan, who had
previously succeeded to Glywysig, became paramount sovereign of Glamorgan. Thismost probably took place before the decease of Saint Cadoc, about the year 580. It is
worthy of observation, that in the various grants to Llandaff recorded in the Liber Landavensis, no mention is made of Cadoc, as principal or abbot of Llancarvan, even in thetime of king Meurig ap Tewdrig. At the election of Saint Oudoceus to the bishopric ofLlandaff in 566 or thereabouts, Cyngen is mentioned as abbot of Cadmael ; next, in a grantby Meurig ap Tewdrig, Jacob is placed as abbot of Cadoc ; after which Cyngen appears asabbot of Carvan Valley, in a grant by the same Meurig, and also in a subsequent one by his
grandson Morgan Mwynfawr, in whose reign a synod was held at " The abbey of Carvan
Valley," to pass judgment upon that king, for having treacherously slain his uncle Frioc;Cyngen was then abbot
;and from subsequent grants, he appears to have been succeeded
by Sulien, who had previously been abbot of Docunni. From the foregoing, and the
grants detailed in this work, it may be inferred that Saint Cadoc resigned the immediatesuperintendence of the establishment at Llancarvan, either to Elli, Jacob, or Cyngen, inthe time of Meurig ap Tewdrig, and that Morgan had became king of Glywysig, duringthe life time of his grandfather Meurig.
1 In the Manuscript, British Museum, Titus D. xxii. the name of this hermit is givenas "
Teliowaw," which bears a considerable resemblance to the "
Teliaw," or Saint Teilo,of the Liber Landavensis.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 355
saying," Take my stick with thee, and wheresoever it may
please thee, strike the earth with its end, and immediatelythe Lord will cause to flow for our need, a fountain of clear
water." And so it was done.
On that night, the man anxiously resolved much in his
mind how he should pass the river in the morning, and an
angel appeared to him, who said, "Be firm in mind, and be
not troubled and anxious respecting the difficulty of this
matter, as God is a powerful assistant to thee ;for to-mor
row when thou comest to the brink of this great river, take
thy staff in thy hand, and strike the river three times, in the
name of the holy Trinity, in the same manner as did Moses,
the leader of the people of Israel, and the Lord God will
divide this river to you, and cause you to pass dry-shod."
When it became full light in the morning, Cadoc with all
his companions arose; and having confidence in God, went
with them to the brink of the aforesaid river, and there he
did what had been commanded. He therefore struck the
river Taf, and it immediately divided, the upper part of the
river towards the mountain, and the lower part gliding
downwards, like Jordan in the office of the baptism of
Christ, of whom it is said, "What ailed thee, O thou sea,
that thou fleddest, and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven
back?" The blessed Cadoc, and his company, passed throughthe channel of the river dry-shod, and the oft-mentioned
Tylyuguay called after them, saying," Beloved servants of
the Lord, loosen this river from its present state to its for
mer course, before you depart hence, that fish may be
taken therefrom; but if it can be done, cause that it be di
minished in depth and breadth, so that it may be passed
through on foot."
And the man of God, together with his disciples, prayedthat the river might remain less for ever, according to the
petition of Tylyuguay, And as they prayed, lo; a great
river, as an immense torrent, burst from the broken rocks,
and like a foaming sea went precipitately towards the
ocean, until it flowed in its accustomed channel ; but its
356 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
breadth and depth have remained less to the present day ;
also it carried a very large stone, as if torn from the infer
nal whirlpool, upon the land of the aforesaid hermit, and
there left it. When therefore the hermit saw this, he
shewed it to the blessed man ; who accordingly ordered
the heap of stones to be called by the name of the religious
inhabitant, Cam, that is the Rock of Tylyuguay.The venerable man then departing, came to his sick
father ; who, rejoicing greatly on his arrival, said to him," I have sent for thee to me, that at the end of my life
thou mayest hear my confession." Then the blessed Cadoc
gave to him the sacrament of the eucharist, and received
his confession. And he taking breath, said to his son,
blessing him, "Maythou be blessed," he said,
" because
the Lord has had mercy on me on thy account, and hast
contributed to obtain for me his compassion ; wherefore I
give to thee, before all that are present, and hear my will,
all this my country, for which thou hast long sustained
many injuries, and some losses ; that is, I grant to thee the
privilege from the fountain, which is called in the British
language Ffynon Hen, that is from the Old Fountain;
until it comes to the entrance of the river Nadawan, that
all kings, earls, and nobles, and also military officers, and
domestics, be buried in the cemetery of thy Monastery at
Llancarvan ;that is, let every one be there buried, except
exiles, and women dying in child-bed. Whosoever will
observe the command of this privilege, the Lord will preservehim now, and in the time to come ; but him who will not
observe it, may God destroy both in the present and fu
tureages."
And all the people answered AMEN. Gwynlliwthe father of the blessed Cadoc being dead, he was buried
in his own monastery, which from his name, is called in the
British language, Eglwys Gwynlliw.1 And Cadoc having
honourably performed the funeral rites of his father, return
ed home with his clergy.
1 Near the church of St. Wollos there is a tumulus, which, according to the local tra
dition, was the tomb of Gwynlliw. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 357
25. OF THE DROWNING OF SAINT BARRUC AND SAINT GWALCHES, ANDOF THE MANUAL BOOK FOUND IN THE BELLY OF A SALMON.
It happened that at another time the blessed Cadoc on a
certain day sailed with two of his disciples, namely Barruc
and Gwalches,1 from the island of Echni, which is now called
Holme, to another island named Barry. When therefore
he prosperously landed in the harbour, he asked his said dis
ciples for his Enchiridion, that is manual book ; and they
confessed that they had, through forgetfulness, lost it in the
aforesaid island. Which he hearing, he immediately com
pelled them to go aboard a ship, and sail back to recover their
book ; and burning with anger, said,"
Go, not to return."
Then his disciples, by the command of their master, without
delay quickly went aboard a boat, and by sailing, got to
the said island. Having obtained the aforesaid volume,
they soon in their passage returned to the middle of the
sea, and were seen at a distance by the man of God
sitting on the top of a hill in Barry, when the boat unex
pectedly overturned, and they were drowned. The bodyof Barruc being cast by the tide on the shore of Barry, was
there found, and in that island buried, which from his
name is so called to the present time. But the body of
the other, namely Gwalches, was carried by the sea to
the island of Echni, and was there buried.2
About the ninth hour, Cadoc the servant of God beingdesirous to refresh his body wasted by fastings, commanded his attendants to procure some fishes for dinner, whowent to the sea for the purpose of fishing, and found a
1 The Achau Saint take no notice of these two saints. Cressy mentions the first, andhis account is quoted by Professor Rees, according to which, he died in 700, and his feast
day is the 29th of November. Gwalches is mentioned by Camden, who says he was a dis
ciple of Barruc, as he learned from an ancient monument in Llandaff Cathedral, but givesno copy of the inscription. W.
a Some years ago a tombstone was found on the Flat Holmes, conjectured to be thatof the saint; but as it bore no inscription, but simply a cross, there can be no certainty onthe subject. In the calendar a St. Gwal is commemorated on the 3rd of May, and calledan Abbot. I know not whether this be our Gwalch or not. W.
358 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
very large salmon on the sand, and rejoicing brought it to
their master; in the bowels of which, when it was cut open,
they found the aforesaid book free from all injury by water,
and white, which the man of the Lord, giving thanks to
God gladly received, and declared that it was manifest to
all that nothing was impossible to God.
26. OF WOLVES CHANGED INTO STONES.
Another miracle not less wonderful, divine mercy deigned to perform by the merits of his faithful servant Cacloc.
When his sheep depastured on the aforesaid island Echni,
lo, two wolves from England, by swimming came to that
place. Having torn many of the sheep, and slain some with
their rapacious mouths, they attempted to swim towards
the British sea ; but when they had come to the middle
they were changed by divine judgment, because they had
irritated, and slain his sheep, into stones, and in the British
language were called Cunbleid, that is Wolf Stones.1
27. How SAINT CADOC BY HIS PRAYERS PRODUCED FROM THE EARTH,IN CORNWALL, A HEALTH-BEARING FOUNTAIN.
Nor it is unpleasant to mention the goodness of God in
his more wonderful miracles, but it is agreeable to make his
eminent servant more celebrated in miracles, by his afford
ing a most excellent remedy, and comfort for human infir
mity. For lately, when the said most illustrious man came
from the mount of St. Michael, which is known to be in
Cornwall, and in the idiom of the district, is called Dinsol,
and there the same archangel, who was venerated by all
who came there, being hot, and fatigued from his journeywas very thirsty. And the place where this happened was
very dry ; therefore the blessed Cadoc struck the ground
1 The Wolves,-are two well known dangerous rocks in the Bristol channel, which thesaint would have conferred a greater benefit, upon posterity, by removing, if he had the
power, than suffering to remain. However we may safely acquit him of having had anything to do with them. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 359
with his stick, and immediately a full flowing fountain
sprang from the ground, and therefore they who accom
panied him, also drank like the Israelites athirst in the
wilderness, when Moses struck the rock with his stick, and
the water flowed in abundance. As all were satisfied with
water, they said to their companions." Let us earnestly
beseech the divine goodness that all such persons, as shall
come to this sacred fountain, may therefrom, with the
favour of God, receive the cure of divers diseases ; and as
it extinguished our raging thirst, so let it heal the painful
disorders of bodies." For if any sick person, having firm
confidence in God, shall drink of that fountain, he will re
ceive the cure of his belly and bowels, and he will drive all
venomous worms from his body. And after the men of
Cornwall saw that frequent cures of the disorders of both
sexes were constantly effected at that fountain by divine
piety, they built a small church in honour of Saint Cadoc,
near the fountain.
28. OF THE THIEF WHO STOLE AN OX.
It therefore happened that on a certain day, the survey
or of Saint Cadoc, who at that time they called the sexton
of Llancarvan, being forced by the command of the abbot,
and the necessity of the clergy, came to the court of a cer
tain regulus, named Rhytherch, carrying with him the
gospel of Gildas. There was in that court, on the same
clay, an action against a certain rustic for taking away an
ox by theft, he denying with all his might the crime which
was alleged against him. Then the surveyor came to him,
and in a joke, drew his naked knife of no small size, and
brandishing it with vibrating hand, said," O foolish man,
this is the knife of Saint Cadoc, if therefore thou hast per
jured thyself, thou shalt immediately die, for it shall pierce
thy bowels." Then the rustic being greatly terrified, threw
himself down at the feet of the clergyman, confessing him
self guilty, and saying, "Forgive me for the love of God,
360 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
and Saint Cadoc, for I have committed the crime of steal
ing the ox, and have besides doneperjury." Which being-
known, the king, with the standers by, offered to the gospelof Gild as, and enriched it with a clerical donative, and per
petually employed the thief in the service of the monasteryof Saint Cadoc.
29. OF THE GOSPEL OF GILDAS.
When blessed Gildas lived in the isle of Echni, and
performed the ministerial duties, he wrote a missal book,
and offered it to Saint Cadoc, when he became his confess
or ; therefore that book was called the Gospel of Gildas.
This is the tradition of that volume. If any one of the
progeny of CynaythwT
y should perjure himself on that gos
pel, his life will be shortened ; and if any one of the clergyof Carban valley, that is coming from Llancarvan, induced
by necessity, and carrying the Gospel of Gildas, should
come to some one of the offspring of Cynaythwy, and should
find him by chance putting on his garment, he shall not putit all on without clerical leave, but always remain, doinghis duties, half clothed, and proceed with naked feet to the
Carban valley. This is the tradition also of the vari-coloured
bell." If any one of the offspring of Lywthyly shall swear a
false oath upon the vari-coloured bell, his life will be short
ened, and he will not be enriched by inheritance, but will
soon die. If any one of the clergy of Carban valley, com
pelled by some business, shall, carrying the bell, go to some
one of the descendants of Lywthyly, and by chance should
find him clothing himself with a garment, he shall not putit all on without the leave of a clergyman, but go quicklyhalf undressed to Carban valley.
30. OF THE MIXTURE OF THE WATER OF JORDAN AND THAT OF THECORNISH FOUNTAIN, WHICH AFTER A SPACE OF TIME WAS
USED WITH EFFECT.
The blessed Cadoc being desirous to travel abroad, visi
ted the thresholds of Saint Peter, then Jerusalem, and
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 361
afterwards the river Jordan, of which he filled a bottle,
and brought it with him to Britain. He placed the
sacred water that he had brought in the aforesaid fountain,
which by intreaty, he had produced from the ground in the
district of Cornwall, and it became more holy by this posi
tion and mixture ;for previously it restored only some to
health, but afterwards it cured more than a hundred fold.
31. OF THE CONVERSATION OF SAINT CADOC, AT THE RIVERNEATH.
After a space of time, Saint Cadoc hearing that there
were many places which were solitary, and suitable for her
mits, visited them, that he might see ; and in them he re
mained a short space of time, but left them after the depar
ture of two of his clergy. On a certain day, when he
walked about the banks of the river Neath, he saw a white
boar lying under a tree, which his companions killed ; he
saw, secondly, bees coming, and entering into a hollow
tree ; and thirdly, the nest of a hawk at the top of the tree.
Then he sent those gifts to king Arthmael, who gaveto the blessed Cadoc the liberty of dwelling and possess
ing that land. "
Thenceforth," said Cadoc," here is a boar,
and a honeycomb, and here is a furious hawk ;that place is
fertile, which therefore Cadoc loves, they will make him re
joice, seeking blessed things among such tokens, they will
make me glad ; praising, I will commend the giver ; whyshould I not rejoice, he has given, and will confer honour ;
here I will dwell, because I behold significant things. Hewould not that we should extend our progress any further;
they point out, rather they compel ;here let us remain ;
boar s flesh shall aid by procuring what is fit by hunting;
a honied sweetness constitutes feasts for the clergy; a
table with birds obtained by a comely enemy ; our health
not being sickly is then without disease."
3G2 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
32. OF A RELIGIOUS EDIFICE WHICH THE MAN OF GoD BUILTIN BRITTANY.
In that time, when Cadoc of venerable memory went to
Rome, and passed through all the places of the saints that
were built in Italy and France, for the sake of seeing the
relics of the saints, it happened that he came to a certain
province formerly called Armorica, afterwards Lettau,1 but
now the Lesser Brittain. And he heard that there was
there a certain island without inhabitants, placed in the
sea, and distant from the shore about the space of the
third part of a league. Going into a boat with his disci
ples, he prosperously arrived at the harbour of the place ;
and seeing that it was beautiful and fertile, he said to his
followers, "My brethren, I choose this place, by the favour
of God, and here, if it pleases you, I desire to remain." And
they answering said, "Sir, what seems good to thee, wewill willingly do." He then erected there an elegant
church with stones ;and afterwards caused to be built by
masons, a stone bridge skilfully constructed with arched
work, and having its arches cemented with mortar. These
things having been accomplished, on a certain night, while
he indulged in sleep, he heard one speaking with an angelic
voice, as follows,"
Cadoc, the most faithful of the servants
of God, it is not lawful for thee to live any longer here, for
thou oughtest to return very soon to thy country, because
thy clergy grieve not a little on account of thy long
absence."
Therefore morning praises, as usual, having been given to
God, he sent for all the monks to him, and related to them
his vision, saying,"My most dear companions and brethren,
proceed in the Lord, for here I cannot remain any longer,
but I firmly command you that ye persevere constantly in
the service of God." These words being heard, they beganto weep bitterly ; then he appointed to them in his place, a
1 In Welsh, Llydaw.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 363
prior from his disciples, whose name was Cadwaladr. Andas he blessed his discipies, he received from them leave to
depart ; and then he began his journey homewards, and
passing prosperously over immense tracts of country, suc
ceeded at length in arriving at his own church of Llan-
carvan.
Before much time was passed, the monks of the afore
said island, went out for the purpose of seeing the bridge,
being tired of the absence of their master, and followingwith the desire of their minds and the prospect of their eyes,
in the way on which he had departed, when while they were
looking on, the bridge was overthrown so completely that
it was reduced to nothing, as if it never had been built.
Which being seen, they returned to the church with great
lamentation, and falling headlong to the ground, fasted for
three days, and three nigjits, praying to the Lord for con
solation on account of s6 great a misfortune ; and on the
third night, a voice was sent from Heaven to the prior of
the place in a dream, saying," God has heard your prayer
for the love of Saint Cadoc, for to-morrow you will see the
bridge whole, and uninjured. Morning praises having been
sung, the prior mentioned the revelation made known to
him by God, ;then the monks, for great joy, ran as soon as
they could to behold what had been promised, and found
the bridge uninjured, and seven times stronger than before.
And when they had carefully examined the bridge in all
parts, they returned joyful to their oratory, praising and
blessing the Lord. This miracle becoming known throughout the country, all the inhabitants of the province gavehonour and praise to God, and Saint Cadoc. For the
blessed Cadoc is by that nation called Cathodw, from
which appellation the island has received its name, that is
Ynys Cathodw, in which are many kinds of fruits, that are
said to effect cures of various diseases.
364 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
33. OF THE COUNTRYMAN WHO UNLAWFULLY BEHELD THE SEPULCHRALMONUMENTS OF THE AUDITORS OF SAINT CADOC.
The same patron of venerable memory long ago built a
handsome monastery, with stone materials in Scotland,
near the mountain Bannawc, and having assembled bre
thren therein, he appointed that devout service should con
stantly be rendered to God by them. In a certain porch of
which monastery, the bodies of three of his disciples lay,
covered with marble monuments, but no one dared to look
into their tomb, neither married, nor unmarried, but only
persons in holy orders. There was on the outside in the
wall of the porch a certain hole, through which the kings,
and nobles of that country, if by chance a great dispute
arose between them, were to place their hands, and make
oath, and if any one broke that oath, he should die before
the end of the year. According to custom, a multitude of
the common people were assembled on the day of the festi
vity of Saint Cadoc to hear mass, and the celebration of
mass having been ended, a certain foolish countryman, mak
ing a great nosie, spoke to the presbyters in the midst of
the people, "Will you let me go to the hole, that I maylook through it?" They answered, and said to him, "Go,
and Saint Cadoc will make a mark of revenge to appear on
thee." The rash man therefore ran to the hole; and covered
one of his eyes with his hand, and with the other looked
through the window, and as soon as said, the uncovered eye
cracked, and by the optic nerve hung on his face. The
countryman therefore uttered a great and mournful lamen
tation, and quickly went to the crowds of the people, which
being seen, all the common people with loud voice rendered
praise to God and Saint Cadoc, saying, "From the rising
to the setting of the sun, the name of the Lord is to be
praised." And the said countryman went about from placeto place, throughout the province of Lintheamus, not cover
ing his extracted eye, and much money was given him for
shewing his eye-ball that had been torn out. Therefore his
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 365
fellow-countrymen more and more learned to fear God, and
to glorify him reverently with his Saint. But as it would be
too laborious to mention with a pen all the miracles and
wonders of this holy patron, those few, from many, will be
sufficient for those who read devoutly; for no one is able to
relate all his wonderful acts, unless Cadoc himself should
rise from the dead ; but as he was removed in a white cloud
from Britain to the city of Beneventum, we have thought
proper, with the favour of God, to mention the particulars
with our pen.
HERE ENDS THE LIFE OF SAINT CADOC, ALSO CALLED
SOPHIAS; AND HERE BEGINS HIS PASSION ON THE DTK OF
THE CALENDS OF FEBRUARY, IN THE CITY OF BENEVENTUM.
34. How SAINT CADOC WAS REMOVED IN A WHITE CLOUD FROMCARBAN VALLEY TO BENEVENTUM.
The angel of the Lord appeared to blessed Cadoc, in a
dream, on the eve of Palm Sunday, and said to him,
"God has decreed that thou shalt now depart from the
land of Britain." To which the blessed man answering
said," All things that shall be ordered me by the Lord,
I will willingly perform, as far as I am able, but how I
shall depart from hence, I do not at all know." To whomthe angel answered,
"
To-morrow, after thou hast preachedto thy people, thou shalt return to the place that is nigh to
thy castle, where thou hast been accustomed to rest after
preaching, and there stopping, shalt remain a little while,
and a bright cloud shall cover thee, and thereon thou shalt
be bodily carried to the city of Beneventum, as Elias was
in a chariot of fire to Paradise, and this will be a sign to
thee; when thou wilt descend from the cloud, the abbot of
that city will, in that hour, be honourably buried in thy
presence, and being deposited in the ground after the manner of abbots, the monks of that place will appoint thee in
his room. Wherefore thou shalt give up thy principal town,3 A
366 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
Llancarvan, with all its clergy, and common people to thyunmarried disciple Elli, in the sight of all, and shalt makehim a doctor, and a rector to them. And in the same night,
the said messenger of God will mention to the Prior of the
city of Beneventum, in a vision, while asleep, those things,
saying,"
To-morrow, a certain learned clergyman, a western
Briton, a chosen servant of God, will come hither to you,
and him earnestly beseech to be appointed an abbot over
you, because your abbot has died on this night; for Godhas chosen him to be appointed in the room of your abbot;
and he will be called Sophias among you, because he is full of
the wisdom of God." The blessed Cadoc therefore rising in
the morning, related what had been foretold to him by the
angel to his very dear unmarried auditor, Elli; and about
the first hour, Elli, secretly, with respect to what has been
mentioned, assembled according to custom a procession on
Palm Sunday, with the relics of the saints; and he went from
church, with the clergy and people following him, to the ri
vulet of Saint Cadoc, which in the British language is called
Pistill Cattwg, and there, as it is said, he preached to the
people, from a mound, which is nigh the rivulet, until the
third hour; and about the third, namely, the holy commu
nion, after preaching, he returned with all the company to
his castle, and there remained, repeating his preaching; and
having at length finished his sermon, according to the an
gelic commandment, he spoke to them as follows.
" Hear me, brethren, and receive my words into your ears,
for to-day I appoint my disciple Elli to be rector and doc
tor over you, and do you receive him cheerfully, and be
humbly obedient to him, for I myself am ignorant with
respect to the end of my life." For Elli alone was ac
quainted with the matter, and he bore the words heavily in
his heart. Then the man of God commanded them all and
said," I command you all in the name of the Lord, that no
powerful worldly king, nor bishop, nor nobleman shall ever
adjudge, with respect to any dispute or injury over you ;
but if any one shall inflict an injury upon you, or if any one
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 367
of you should injure another, or if any one in some other
matter, should in any way adjudge over you, let judges be
made from amongst yourselves. And with respect to the
place of judgment, let it be under the shade of the hazel
tree, which I myself have planted nigh the monastery, and
it will give its pledge to stand in correct judging, in the
hand of the abbot in the day of trial."
And the abbot placed it upon the altar ; and said,"
Maythey adjudge right according to the intention of the synod,
and the judicial series in the book which I have written. If
any one will despise this commandment, so as to break it,
may he be cursed in the judgment of the supreme Judge,
and not live long, nor ever have plenty of what is good, and
whoever will keep it, may he be blessed, and may God
lengthen his life, and an angel of the Lord in all places at
tend on him." While he yet spoke, lo, the brightness of
God suddenly surrounded them, and all alike fell headlongon their faces to the ground, not being able to behold such
a quantity of light. All having therefore fallen to the
ground, the blessed Cadoc was taken off in a white cloud
from their eyes, and disappeared; and immediately in the
twinkling of an eye descended from the cloud in the city
of Beneventum, and was seen amongst those persons; who
were burying the abbot; and wonderful to be said, he con
stantly, and perfectly knew their language by the gift of
the Holy Spirit, and they likewise his; and they soon knew
that it was he, of whom the angel had before spoken to the
Prior.
And in the same hour, a congregation of all the clergy
and many monks, and the bishop of the city, having as
sembled, with common assent they willingly ordained him an
abbot over them, and named him Sophias, for they saw that he
was full of divine wisdom, and because it was by that name,
it was before ordered by the angel that he should be called.
A little after, he fortified a great part of the city with a
wall, which had previously been built with the mud of the
earth, and the material becoming by degrees more and
368 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
more ruinous, had fallen into rubbish. The workmen being
in want of spring water, and leaving the work on that
account unfinished, addressing the holy Sophias, said,"We
cannot by any means work, because we cannot find water
near at hand." Accordingly Saint Sophias prayed that
very night to the Lord that he would condescend to shew
what he would do in this matter. After prayer he rested
with sleep his limbs that were weary from watchings, and
an angel descending from above kindly comforted him that
he should not be sorrowful on that account, but that rising
in the morning he should go to the wall of the city, and
foretold to him that he would there find a plentiful flowing
fountain for the use of the masons. The holy man there
fore, according to the command of the angel, stretching him
self and shaking off sloth early in the morning, went with
haste to see the wall of the city, that had been begun, and
found a deep fountain near it.
35. How SAINT ELLI WAS ACCUSTOMED TO VISIT THE BLESSED CADOCANNUALLY.
And Elli was accustomed to go very often with his dis
ciples to the city of Beneventum, for the purpose of visit
ing the blessed Cadoc, also called Sophias; in some of
which visitings, some persons died, and were honourablyburied in the monastery of Saint Sophias ; whose sepul
chres are placed together in one series, in order, before the
altar, from one wall to another. Eight very decent marble
monuments may be there found.
36. How SAINT CADOC WAS RAISED TO BE THE BISHOP OF BENEVENTUM.
The bishop of that city being dead, in the following
night an angel of the Lord appeared in a vision to Saint
Sophias, commanding him from the Lord that he should re
ceive the episcopal order; also in the same night a mes
senger from heaven revealed to the Archdeacon, whilst he
indulged in sleep, that he should on the following day,
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 369
without delay, by divine command, promote Saint Sophiasto the degree of bishop. The Archdeacon, with the com
pany of the clergy, and the common people being assem
bled together, he related to them all what the divine oracle
had made known to him by angelic revelation respectingthe promoting of Saint Sophias. The report of the Arch
deacon pleased all who heard it, and they unanimously
appoint Saint Sophias to the episcopal see.
After a short space of time, while the said person lived
in his episcopal dignity, and governed his diocese in a
mild, and holy manner, he heard an angel of the Lord men
tioning to him in a vision of the night,"
Lo, an option is
given to thee by the Lord ; now choose by what death thou
wilt leave this mortal life, and migrate to the eternal kingdom." He answered him,
"
Having my option, I choose
martyrdom, as it is before the Lord the most excellent of
deaths." To whom the angel said," Be firm," said he,
" in
heart and mind, because God is with thee;for to-morrow,
a certain cruel king will plunder this city, and whilst thou
wilt celebrate the divine mysteries of the mass, a certain
soldier of his accomplices, entering the monastery, and
brandishing his spear, will cruelly kill thee with its point,
upon the altar." Therefore the blessed Sophias gave thanks
to God, and said to the angel," I am ready for martyrdom,
for by this death, our Lord Jesus Christ, and his apostles,
and some others have triumphed in the world, and obtained
the glory of a heavenly kingdom." The blessed Sophias
awaking, arose to morning praises, as usual, and as the day
proceeded, about the first hour, he dressed himself in his
missal vestments, being about to celebrate the divine sacri
fice. As he sang mass, lo, the aforesaid tyrant, having as
sembled his army, plundered the suburbs contiguous to
the city ; of whom, some came into the city for the sake of
plundering. Whence out-cries, and wailings resounded on
all sides through the city, but Saint Sophias stood undaunted,and did not in the least interrupt the celebration of the
mass, although he was conscious of the evil.
370 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
Then forthwith, one of the horsemen, entered the church
wherein he partook of the holy sacrament, and with incited
step, and raging fury, pierced Saint Sophias, with a lance,
as he stood on the altar, and was partaking of the salutary
consecration of the body and blood of our Lord. Who,besmeared with his blood, and with eyes lifted up towards
heaven, commended his soul to the Lord, saying," Lord
Jesus receive my spirit."Also he humbly prayed for his
murderer, in like manner as did the first martyr Stephen,"
Lord, Lord," said he,"
lay not this sin to his charge, for
he knows not what he has done," and turning his prayer to
the Lord proceeded in continuation,"
Almighty Lord, invi
sible King, Jesus Christ, the Saviour, grant me my request,
assist the Christians who dwell in my territories, give favour
to my body, that all persons who may have any part of mybones, or of those of my disciples, may perform miracles,
and expel demons, and may every disease be far distant from
them. Let there be no unfruitfulness among their fruits, nor
barrenness in their corn, but let the wealth of all good persons be increased, and forgive them their crimes, whereby
they will reverence me on the earth, and always glorify
thee in heaven." And lo, a voice was sent from the white
cloud, saying,"
Cadoc, my servant, ascend to the kingdomof my Father, and what thou dost request, I will performfor thee, I will not make thee sorrowful, for thou art bless
ed, since thou hast been mindful of me in thy last sufferings.And I say unto thee, if any one shall be in great distress,
and mindful of thy name, will invoke me for thee, he shall
be liberated from the trouble of that distress."
After the Lord had spoken, he protected himself with
the mark of the salvation-bearing cross, and gave uphis spirit into the hands of the Almighty. And lo, sudden
ly a great brightness shone on the people devoutly engagedin
performing his funeral rites, and assembled for his fune
ral, so that no one of them was able to sustain it. Theybrought his body, wrapped in white linen cloths, and
placed it in a silver coffin, and carried it to the place of
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 371
burial with hymns, and psalms, and spiritual songs, and
many lamps, and buried him honourably. And manymore miracles were performed after his death, at his sepulchral monument, than had been before in his life-time.
Sight was restored to the blind, and walking to the lame,
the leprous were cleansed, and the demons were driven
away from those who were possessed by them.
They built a large church in honour of him over his vene
rable sepulchre, into which no Briton is permitted to enter;
which was so done, as the learned men of the city of Be-
neventum say, lest some Briton should in future come there
from his principal monastery, that is from Llancarvan, and
take away from thence by stealth the sacred earth of the
relics of his body, and from the taking away of that very pre
cious deposit, all the miracles, and the whole grace of the
saint, should together with that earth of the precious
relics of his body be removed from thence to his ownland at Llancarvan, that is Britain, where he was born.
But what is more grievous and horrible to be heard, it is
certain that after the taking away of his sacred body, the
fine flowing fountain that was near the city, which God byhis intreaty had caused to flow from the earth for the use
of the workmen, came like a sea over the city, and the in
habitants forbode its being overwhelmed. Saint Cadoc,
whilst he flourished in this life, avoided human praise, and
did many things known to God only, and unknown to mor
tals ; also he never passed by, with any interval or inter
mission, perseverance in frugality and economy, fastings,
watchings, and prayers. He not only performed his mira
cles in his life-time, but effected them beyond number after
his passage from the prison of this deceitful world; throughmeans of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father,
and the Holy Spirit lives, and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.1
1 It is impossible to conjecture how this strange legend could have originated. Cressynotices Saint Cadoc, alias Sophias, a bishop of Beneventum, in Italy, but neither one namenor the other occurs in the list of bishops of that see. It has been suggested that the
place meant is Benevenna, now called Weedon, in Northamptonshire, which seems more
372 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
37. OF THE BELLOWING OF THE COFFIN OF SAINT CADOC WHEN STRUCKBY SOME ONE, AND TUB DEATH OF THE STRIKER.
After the departure of the most gracious Cadoc from
transitory to eternal things, a certain very powerful English viscount, named Eilaf, came to the country of Glamor
gan, with a large company of attendants, for the purpose of
plundering and destroying ; and the clergy of the celebra
ted Cadoc having heard an account of his impiety, fled
from Llancarvan, with the coffin of the holy man, and
other relics, bearing the means for their protection, until
they came to the place, Mammeliat,1 and there they hid
themselves. And when they had been there a short time,
a multitude of the Danish and English robbers came to
them ;who beholding the coffin, sought to take it off
with them ; and from four to one hundred men attemptedwith all their might to raise it, nor were they able to re
move it from the place. Then they became angry, and one
more mad than the others, ran forwards quickly, and tak
ing a stout stick, struck it ;and on being struck, it produ
ced a loud bellowing noise, like a bull, and greatly fright
ened the whole army, and immediately there was a great
earthquake in those parts. The coffin being at length left
by them, one of them more unhappy than the others, beinginduced by greediness, cut off its golden pinnacle with a
hatchet, which fell into his lap, and immediately like
fire burned his bosom ; and stupified, and excited by the
probable, assuming that town to have ever been a bishop s see, which may be doubted.All that we know for certain, is, that a bishop of the name of Cadoc is commemorated in
the calendar on the 24th of February, who by some means has been confounded withCadoc ap Gwynlliw, who does not appear to have been a bishop at all; but owing to this
confusion, the feast of the latter has been stated to be the 24th of February, instead of
the 31st of March; according to the calendar before quoted, which is printed in a RomanCatholic missal in my possession, the title page of which is lost, but from the names of
former owners written on the cover, I judge to be of the time of Henry VIII, or Eliza
beth, and from the great number of Welsh Saints it contains, was most likely intendedfor the use of the inhabitants of the principality. Who this bishop was, or at what time,and where he lived is totally unknown
; we can only conclude that such a person existed,from his appearing in the calendar, and from his name that he was probably a Welshman or an Armorican
; Cressy calls him son of Guilleicus, a king of North Wales. W.1Mammelliat, Query Marahilad in Monmouthshire.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 373
pain of heat, he resolved to fix the pinnacle in its place; and
being so fixed, it firmly adhered, as if it had been united by
gold soldering. Which being done, the unhappy violator
of the coffin melted in the sight of the whole army, like
wax before the fire. This miracle having been seen by
them, and being affected with fear on account of the afore
said things, they returned as exiles. Afterwards they had
not a desire for plundering the before-mentioned places of
the patron, and ceased to lay waste his territories.
38. OF THE OX CUT INTO PIECES AND BOILED, AND AFTERWARDSRESTORED TO LIFE.
On a certain time, Meredydd, king of Reinuc,1 came
with a powerful force of enemies to his property in Gla
morgan, that he might there reign; where having come, he
ordered them to plunder, and to drive off oxen to the camp,for food. And they therefore brought a hundred oxen,
amongst which was a very fat one, that was stolen from the
townsmen of the blessed Cadoc; and when slain, it was cut in
to pieces, that by cooking it might be prepared for satisfying
the hunger of the king, and his companions; but it could
not by any means be roasted by coals, nor boiled in water.
Which being told to the king he ordered all the aforesaid
oxen to be restored to their owners. And when they were
all brought together, the ox that had been killed, which I
have above mentioned, appeared alive and well among the
others. Then every one took his own ox, praising and glo
rifying God in his excellent servant Cadoc.
39. OF THE BREAKING OF IRON RlNGS.
After a very long interval of time, three foreigners bound
with iron rings, came from the East to the monastery of
1 An ancient name for Herefordshire. There is nothing to identify the Meredyddhere mentioned with any of the reigning princes of Wales of that name, except that the
occurrence took place after Saint Cadoc s death ;and the sovereigns recorded as living
nearest his era are Meredydd king of Dyved, slain about A.D. 800, by the Saxons, at
Morva Rhuddlan, and Meredydd ab Owain ab Ilywei Bda, who in 990 laid waste Radnor and Glamorgan.
SB
374 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the aforesaid Saint, on the day of his solemnity. And while
they celebrated mass, those iron bands, all the people be
holding them, broke. Wherefore that this miracle mightbe known to all, they hung those rings on the altar.
40. OF A STEWARD BEING SLAIN, AND AFTERWARDS RESTORED TO LIFE.
Also the said Saint owned part of a certain field in Ire
land, on the banks of the river Limphi, where he had a veryfaithful steward, who offensively preserved the corn of his
master, that the flocks of the neighbours should not devour
it, and he shut up in confinement the cattle of his neighbours. The governor of that province being inflamed with
anger, collected together a hundred armed men, who to
gether attacked the steward of the blessed man; and all
mutually striking him, each singly wounded him with one
stroke of his weapon, and killed him; not one alone, but
all were equally guilty of the murder. And they departingafter his death, and looking back, saw the man who had
been before killed, in health and standing; which being
seen, they hastily directed their steps to him, and observed
how soon the wounds of his head had been cured, whose
scars being healed, they appeared no larger than the marksof bulrushes. Then all reflecting on what they had done,
acknowledged that they were guilty of his death, and de
parting went together to the king, and related to him all
that they had seen respecting this miracle. And the kingwhen he heard it, enlarged the bounds of his paternal pro
perty, and magnified him during all his life. The learned
among the Irish, who lived in the monastery of his disciple,
the blessed Finnian, bear witness that if any one of the
clergy of Saint Cadoc went to them, they honourably re
ceived him, and made him as one of their heirs. And this is
said to be a token of their justice, that if an old mantouch a lock of the monastery with his hand, he will openit without a key.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 375
41. OP THE INCLINATION OF A TREE UNDER THE FEET OF THE PREACHER.
Formerly a king of Reinuc named Cynan, with the sur
name of Garwyn,1
having collected a large force of troops,
resolved to invade all the country of Glamorgan, and after
a slaughter of the men, and a robbery of the cattle and
household goods, to claim it to himself. And removing their
camp, they settled on the banks of the great river Neath;
which becoming known, the king of the country of Glamor
gan was struck with fear, and earnestly requested the clergy
of the oftmentioned saint, that with the relics, and chest
of the said saint, they would go to meet the king of Reinuc,
and humbly request of him not to inflict any injury on them
undeservedly. When they went with the relics to the
side of the river Neath, one of them climbed up a high tree
with a spotted bell, that from thence he might speak to the
king, for owing to the great flood of water, they could
not pass through the river. Then calling aloud from the top
of the tree, he preached to him respecting the miracles of
the blessed Cadoc; and as he preached, the tree under the
feet of the clergyman, began by degrees to turn towards the
ground, and to make itself passable instead of a bridge, so
that passing over it to the other side of the river he might
discourse with the king face to face.
Which being seen, the aforesaid king conferred the pro
tection of peace on all the country, and then the whole
army becoming pacific, they returned to their respective
habitations. O truly just man, in whom deceit was not
found, he judged no one unjustly, and despised no one. No
person ever saw him greatly rejoicing nor very sorrowful,
except in the hours of prayer, when with tears he offered
prayers to God. Adverse things never dispirited him, nor
did prosperous ones exalt him ; nothing was ever in his
1Cynan Garwyn succeeded his father, Brochwel Ysgythrog, in the principality of
Powis, about the middle of the seventh century. There is a satirical poem upon CynanGarwyn, attributed to Taliesin, which is printed in the Myvyrian Archaiology, I. lb 8.
Williams s Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Welshmen.
376 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
mouth besides Christ, and what belonged to him on account
of obtaining correction; nothing was in is heart but peace,
and patient piety with compassion. He searched daily bythe Holy Spirit the things that were not his own, but those
ofJesus Christ, for hewas a chosen templeofthe Holy Spirit.
And therefore for all these things, and others like them, he
shines in inaccessible and inestimable eternal glory, which
eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the
heart of man, in heaven with the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, Three in One true God Almighty, to whomis honour, and glory, virtue and power, fortitude, and government continuing without end, for ever and ever. AMEN.
No one can relate the miracles performed by Cadoc;It is because he is not here with his mode of speaking;
Christ, the Creator of the world, will grant pardon,To him, who wrote a Life with faults, named Lifris.
42. OF THE GENEALOGY OF THE BLESSED CADOC.
The genealogy of the blessed Cadoc arises from the most
noble emperors of Borne, from the time of the incarnation
of Jesus Christ, Augustus Cesar, in whose time Christ was
born, begat Octavianus, Octavianus begat Tiberius, Tiberius
begat Caius, Caius begat Claudius, Claudius begat Vespasian, Vespasian begat Titus, Titus begat Domitian, Domi-tian begat Nero, under whom the apostles Peter and Paul
suffered, Nero begat Trajan, Trajan begat Adrian, Adrian
begat Antonius, Antonius begat Commodus, Commodus
begat Meobus, Meobus begat Severus, Severus begat Antonius, Antonius begat Aucanus, Aucanus begat Aurelian,
Aurelian begat Alexander, Alexander begat Maximus,Maximus begat Gordian, Gordian begat Philip, Philip
begat Decius, Decius begat Gallus, Gallus begat Valerian,
Valerian begat Cleopatra, Cleopatra begat Aurelian, Aurelian begat Titus, Titus begat Probus, Probus begat Carosius,
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 377
Carosius begat Dioclesian, who perscuted the Christians
throughout the whole world; for in his time the blessed
martyrs Alban, that is Julian, Aaron, and many others suf
fered. Dioclesian begat Galerius, Galerius begat Constan-
tine the Great the son of Helen, Constantine begat Con-
stantius, Constantius begat Maximianus, with whom the
British soldiers went from Britain, and he slew Gratian the
Roman emperor, and held the government of all Europe;and he did not dismiss the soldiers, which he brought with
him from Britain to return to their country on account of
their bravery, but gave them many provinces and countries,
that is from the pool which is on the top of the mountain
of Jupiter to the city named Cantguic, and until the west
ern mound that is Cruc Ochideint ; and from those soldiers
arose a nation which is called Lettau.1 Maximianus there
fore begat Owain, Owain begat Nor, Nor begat Solor,
Solor begat Glywys, Glywys begat Gwynlliw, Gwynlliw
begat the most blessed Cadoc of whom we are speaking.
A repetition of the pedigree of the Saint; the mat
ter on the side of his father from the best stocks of the
kings of Ireland; Biscetbach begat Brusc, Brusc begat
Urbf, Urbf begat Awlach, Awlach begat Brychan, Brychan
begat Gwladys the mother of Saint Cadoc. This is the
Pedigree of his mother Gwladys, from the race of the
kings of Glamorgan and Mecumen. Anna, who the
learned say was the cousin of the Virgin Mary the mother
of Jesus Christ, begat Beli, Beli begat Abattach, Abattach
begat Baallad, Baallad begat Oudoleum, Oudoleum begat
Endos, Endos begat Ebiud, Ebiud begat Outigirim, Outigi-
rim begat Oudicant, Oudicant begat Ritigurinum, Ritigur
begat Remetel, Remetel begat Grat, Grat begat Urban, Urban begat Teilpuill, Teilpuill begat Teuchnant, Teuchnant
begat Tecmant, Tecmant begat Guotepauc, Guotepauc begatCoilhen, Coilhen begat Guorgust, Guorgust begat Meirchion,
1 These particulars are evidently copied from Nennius. Lady Charlotte Guest supposes" Cant Guic" to be Cantavic in Picardy, and "Cruc Ochideint "
to be the western promontory of Gaul, opposite to which is an island called at present
" D Ouessant." See
Mabinogion, Vol. III. 294.
378 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
Meircliion begat Cimmarch, Cimmarcli begat his daughter
Hennini, Hennni begat Meurig, Meurig begat Erbic, Erbic
begat Yrb, Yrb begat Idnerth, Idnerth begat Teithfall,
Teithfall begat Tewdrig, Tewdrig who was made a martyrin Gwent namely Merthir Tewdrig, who begat Marchell
mother of Gwladys, who begat the blessed Cadoc.
44. OF THE PEDIGREE OF GWLADYS, THE MOTHER OF KING GWYNLLIW,THE FATHER OF THE VENERABLE CADOC, REPEATED FROM THE
ABOVE-MENTIONED WOMAN.
Anna begat Beli, Beli begat Afallach, Afallach begat
Baalad, Baalad begat Owain, Owain begat Brithwein,
Brithwein begat Dwfwnn, Dwfwnn begat Onwedd, On-
wedd begat Enwerydd, Enwerydd begat Amgoloit, Amgo-loit begat Gorddwfn, Gorddwfn begat Dwfn, Dwfn begat
Gwrddoli, Gwrddoli begat Doli, Doli begat Gwrgain, Gwr-
gain begat Cain, Cain begat Tegid, Tegid begat Padarn
Peis Rudawc, Padarn begat Edeyrn, Edeyrn begat Cu-
nedda, Cunedda begat Ceredig, Ceredig begat Gwawl the
mother of Gwynlliw, and Gwynlliw begat the most holyCadoc.
45. OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CANONS OF NANTCARVAN CITY.
Saint Cadoc appointed thirty six Canons, who constantly
and regularly served at the church of Nantcarvan, for he,
by the election of God and man, entirely founded it, ac
cording to the divine proposal and as many court yards, in
which the canons should have their habitations, and as
many portions of land amounting to eighty acres, which
were called from old times the property of the courts,
and were cultivated by gardeners, who had the care of
attending to gardens and orchards, and the keeping of hos
pitality, and also as many villages from which they had ne
cessaries of food and clothing.1
1 The Editor is indebted to the Rev. D. Morgan, Vicar of Llancarvan, and Mr. EdwardThomas of Llanbethery, for their kind assistance, in endeavouring to identify the various
localities, mentioned in the following List of the Courts of the canons of Llancarvan.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 379
46. OF THE POSSESSIONS OF THE AFORESAID CANONS.
First the court of the Desert,1 which is the property of the
Abbot, with the village of Tremgueithen.2 The court of
the Benignant,3 which the doctor possesses, with a portion of
land in Castell.3 A court set with a hazel tree,
4 where
Saint Cadoc had his habitation. The court of Aidanbloch,
and the portion Nioysgurthin, with the village of the
Farther Pennon.5 The White Court,6 which no wavering
person ought to visit, in which Saint Elli his disciple and
successor dwelt with the portion Crucygreif,7 and another
nearer with the Greater Pennon. The court of the Kitchen,
with a portion ofland in going to the right towards Talcatlan,8
and the village Pencrychgel. Another court of the Kitch
en, with a portion of land that is Caricoc9 and the village
Pellussen.9 The court of the Consul, and a portion of land
near Talcathlan, with the village Talpontymit.10 The court
of Tremycrucon, with Tremycrucon.11 The court of Trem-
lech with the portion of land beyond the cross, and the
village of Tremlech.12 The court of Samson, with the portion of Land Cymmyoucyti.
13 The court of Elphin with the
village Cestilldincat.14 The court of Chincencoh. The
1Probably the village of Llancarvan, where Saint Cadoc founded his monastery in a
desert."
2Trefweithen, probably Llanfeithin, about a mile northward from Llancarvan. It
gives its name to an extra parochial district, comprising Llanfeithin, Corn Llwyd, Felin
Fach, Caer Maen, Llanbethery, Llancadle, and Treguff.3Abengnant and Castell Moel, in the parish of Llancarvan, about a mile from the
village.4Tregoll or Trego, now called Treguff Place, the property of the Dean and Chapter of
Gloucester.
5 The village of Pennon, near Llancarvan, the property of the Dean and Chapter of
Gloucester.6Probably Whitton near Walterston, about a mile northeast from Llancarvan Church.
7 Carn Llwyd, about a quarter of a mile from Llanfeithin, formerly the habitation of
Dyfrig, (Saint Dubricius.) A Well in the vicinity is still called Ffynnon Dyfri.8Llancadle, in the parish of Llancarvan, and Middle Cross, the property of the Dean
and Chapter of Gloucester.
9 Caeau Crwca, and Censan, in the parish of Penmark, about a mile south from Llancarvan.
10 The village of Talpontbritwn or Brutone, about half a mile south from Llancadle.11
Probably Tredwcan, in the parish of Penmark.12
Trelech, probably Nerstone, in the parish of Penmark.ia
Cwmmicyti, in the parish of Penmark, the property of E. Romilly, Esq.14
Probably the Castle, in the hamlet of Moulton, near Llancarvan, the ruins of whichare now visible. It is the property of Jesus College, Oxford.
380 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
court ofthe Mill, with the village Nantbucelis.1 The court of
Talcatlan,2 which is the property of the Abbot. The court
of Curcus 3 the priest, with the portion Cair Arthan,4 and
the village Pencrycgil,5 with Pistillcatuc. The court of
Arguistel, with the portion of land Ygrestyl, and the
village Hentrem drymbrych.6 The court of Nestree with
the portion beyond the ditch Pulltavus7 and the village
Brinsychan.8 The court of Eida, with the village Tref-
henun.9 The court of Cair guicou10 with the village Ecclus-
silid. The court of Albrytson of Cynuyt, with the village
Allt Cynuit. The court of Cyndrayth, with the portion
Nantcyncar,11 and the village Pencrycgel, and Cilbleingurth.
The court of Ellybr, with the village Ellibr. The court
of Crucinan, with the village Crucpilia. The court of
Medgarth, with the village Medgarth. The court of Caer-
ydicycit,12 with the village Cairdicit. The court of Cynblust,
without a part of the church, with the village Celli dre-
miauc, that is Nant Carthay.
47. OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PARTS.
Six parts were given amongst the principal persons. Thefirst to the Abbot for government, the second to the Doctor,
for teaching doctrine; the third to the Priest for executingthe office of the priesthood. And what remained was di
vided equally among the Clergy, according to the number
1 The court of the Mill is an old ruin of a Place or Palace, called Norchant, in the
parish of St. Athan. About three hundred yards distant, the remains of the old village
Nantbwchlys can be traced in a field still called Bwchlos.2Llancadle, before mentioned, there are some remains of a chapel still to be seen,
about a mile and a half from Llancarvan.3 A place now called Curnix.4 Caer Athan, Saint Athen, about a mile and a half westward from Llancadle.5 Nant y Crickel and the old village Crickel, in the parish of Flemingston.6 Hendre Dymbry, or Llanbethery village, about a mile westward from Llancarvan.7Probably Pwll y Mun, in the parish of Saint Nicholas.
8 This may possibly be Brynsychadan, in the parish of Pendeulwyn,9Trefhenyn, a village in Pendeulwyn parish, about three miles from Llancarvan.
10Probably Caer Wigau or Caer Wicca, in Pendeulwyn parish.
11 Nant y Cyngar, between Flemingston and Saint Mary Church.
_
12 This is the original name of the Glebe land, now called Winedelose, in a field ad
joining which was the ancient village of Caerdicit; at which place a very large ecclesiasticaledifice formerly stood, supposed to be the monastery, which, according to tradition, had asubterraneous passage nearly 100 yards in length communicating with the church; thefield is now called Culvary or Calvary.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 381
of Prebendaries, excepting four, namely the surveyor, and
three messengers who served the clergy with respect to the
relics, wheresoever they directed them to be sent, and had
nothing in common with the clergy, besides in the portions
of land, and in their food ;but the men who came to the
refuge of the church, on returning from the refuge, gave to
them, on account of their dignity, an ewe and lamb, or four
pence.
48. OF THE MANNER OF DECIMATION OR TITHING.
Whoever shall decimate, ought to divide theproperty^
into three parts, and give the first to the confessor, the se
cond to the altar, and the third to those who pray for him
And the part of the altar is divided as we have before
mentioned.
49. OF THE MANNER OF WlLLS.
If any one affected with illness will not give separately, !
let him give to his confessor, according to his ability, for
the church and watchings. And the parts of the church;
and of watchings, are divided as we have before mentioned.
50. OF THE CONVERSION OF GWYNLLIW.
Be it known that in the days of Gwynlliw, there was
a certain priest of the celebrated name of Cadoc, son of the
aforesaid Gwynlliw. And the said blessed Cadoc was perfect in faith, serving the Holy Spirit daily, and exercising him
self in the holy gospels of Christ. But his father, the afore
said Gwynlliw, was given up to carnal allurements, and fre
quently instigated his guards to robbery, and plunder, and
lived altogether contrary to what was just and right, and
disgraced his life with crimes. But Cadoc built his church
on four foundations, justice, prudence, fortitude and temper
ance, and the monastery was full of choirs of singers, readers,
and persons praying, which Saint Cadoc continually excited
by divine exhortations, the Holy Spirit co-operating with3o
382 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
him, to obedience to God, the duty of mutual charity, and
the performance of works of mercy to the poor. And as
Cadoc, the man of God, saw the wicked acts of his father,
deeply sighing he grieved on his account, and sent faithful
messengers, of his disciples, namely Finnian, Guavan, and
Elli, that they might convert him from the errors of his
malice and wickedness, and dispose him to divine obedience.
Who diligently meeting, they, together with the elders,
exhorted him, that renouncing the devil, and his pomps,and wicked works, with repentance and penance, he should
trust himself to the advice of his son Cadoc, and confess
his sins committed against God and him. Which his wife
Gwladys hearing, and stimulated by the Holy Spirit, said," Let us trust to our son, and he will be a father to us in
heaven." Gwynlliw answering, said, "Whatever thouwilt tell
me, let us do, and wherever thou wilt, I willgo."
Therefore
Cadoc with the monks, and Gwynlliw with the elders, and
also Gwladys, the mother of Cadoc, meeting together they
quickly acquiesced to the advice of Cadoc, and both of
them, namely, Gwynlliw and his wife, confessed their crimes
with the satisfaction of penance. Afterwards Gwynlliw
spoke to them as follows, "Whoever there may be of myrace, may he serve God in true piety; and may all who live
in my land, after their decease be buried in his cemetery."
And Cadoc said,"
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand, and I will prepare a mansion for thee among the ce
lestials." And forthwith they sang the psalm," The Lord
will hear thee in the day of tribulation," to the end. Thewitnesses are Gwynlliw, with the elders, and Cadoc with
the monks, and his disciples.
51. OP THE JOURNEY OF GWYNLLIW AND HIS WlFE.
After an interval of some time, Gwynlliw and his wife
by a vow went from home to Thebech; and a messengercame from God to Cadoc, directing him to come to his
parents, and advise them how they might perform true re-
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 383
pentance for their crimes; who quickly obeying the divine
orders, exhorted his parents by holy admonitions to performit. And therefore his mother, Gwladys, built for herself a
church in Pencarnou;1
Gwynlliw also soon erected another
monastery, and there instituted divine service. Afterwards
both parents invited Cadoc, who coming, they devoutly re
ceived him, and gave to him the aforesaid churches, which
they had built for themselves, and also gave up all, that
they had, to his authority. Of those churches there was to
be no governor but of the family of Cadoc the man of God,
or with his consent, and permission. And Gwynlliw said," Whoever of my family, and of the elders of Gwynllwg,will break it, may he be cursed for ever." Cadoc and his
monks were witnesses. "
May no one receive tribute or pension from those churches, but the family of Cadoc, nor any
governor, nor ruler be in them, but by the election and ap
pointment of the family of the same Cadoc."
52. OF THE SWORD WHICH TEWDWR, THE LEADER, GAVE TO SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that Tewdwr son of Meuric,2
gave a sword
and vestment to Cadoc and his family, that therewith they
might purchase land for their support. Conige,3 the abbot
of the altar of Saint Cadoc gave that sword, and vestment
to Spoi, and Rhodri for the village, whose name is Congu-oret in Pencenli, who granted it to be possessed by Cadoc,
and his church in perpetual right, with annual pension of
nine tierces of ale, and also bread, flesh, and honey, to be
paid with the permission of Conige, and the aforesaid family
by the hand of Spois and his sons for ever, and that the
possession should be free and quit of all services, and exac-
1Pencarnou, where Gwladys built her church, is probably at Pencarn, in the parish of
Bassaleg, there are three farms, upper, middle, and lower Pencarn, but no traces of a
chapel on either. W.2 I know not who this Tewdwr ap Meuric could be, no such son is recorded among the
children of Meurig ap Tewdrig. W.3 Called in the Liber Landavensis, Cyngen, he was abbot of Llancarvan, in the time of
Saint Oudoceus.
384 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
tions of earthly kings. The same Spois, the son of Gwrhiter,
gave Guoremet with three cows ;the aforesaid Rhodri held
a charter, or written instrument under the hand of Conige,
the abbot of Nantcarvan, in confirmation of this grant.
Afterwards Rhodri,and Spois, and his son, came together also,
and his clergy brought the cross of Saint Cadoc, and his earth,
and going round the aforesaid land of Conguoret, claimed
it; and before proper witnesses, scattered the earth of the
aforesaid saint thereon in token of perpetual possession.
Of the laity, the witnesses are Rhodri, Guornemet, Guagu-orit, Hoilbiu, Howhoer, Coelbiu; and of the clergy, Samson,
abbot of the altar of Saint Illtyd, Conige, abbot of the altar
of Saint Cadoc, Plossan, Atern, Jouan, Minuocioi, Brenii
and family were witnesses. He who will keep it, God will
keep him; he who will break it, will be cursed by the Lord.
AMEN.
53. OF THE PART OF THE FIELD, WHICH BRANNOGUID GAVE TO THEMONASTERY OF SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that Brannoguid son of Febric gave the
half part of the field of Idraelis to God, and the monasteryof Saint Cadoc, for his soul, and that his name might be
written in the book of Cadoc at Nantcarvan, and he the
said Bronnoguid, and his three sons Guedan, and Guobrir,
and Meuc, held a written deed under the hand of Conige,
the principal of the altar of Cadoc, in eternal right of dona
tion to God and Saint Cadoc. For the annual perpetual
rent of that field is three tierces of ale, and bread, and flesh,
and a pound of honey; for these ought Bronneguid, and his
three sons, and their kindred to pay annually to the familyof Cadoc until the day of judgment. Of this agreement the
witnesses are, Brannoguid the owner of the farm and his
sons, Guoidan, Marcant, Junemet, Conige abbot, Elionoy,
Brenic, Mannocior, Beduan, Plissan. Whoever will keepthis donation, God will keep him, and whoever will break
it, will be cursed by God. AMEN.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 385
54. OF THE PENANCE OP SEIUS FOR KILLING TWO OF HIS NEPHEWS.
After an interval of time, Cuan Bunry1 slew two men,
sons of his sister, namely Atgan, and Aidnerth, wherefore
Cadoc and Illtyd came and cursed Cuan, but Cuan being
compelled, came, and his kings with him, to the presence of
Cadoc and Illtyd, and confessed to them their crimes. But
they said to him," Redeem the crime of homicide." Cat-
len answered, saying," I will give the field, named Lan-
hoittan, to Cadoc; the rent for which is two vessels of six
tierces of ale, with bread, and flesh, and honey, according
to the accustomed measure. And Merchion gave a village
named Conhil to Illtyd, and three vessels which contained
six tierces of ale, each of which vessels with the lands, the
granters gave to the aforesaid saints for a perpetual gift.
And they accepting the satisfaction of Cuan, enjoined him
fourteen years penance. The witnesses of this fact, were
Cotton, Merchion, Ceuan, Cothy, Catman, Hoitlon, Virga,
Cadoc, Finian, Seoctus, Eutegyrn reader; the family of
Cadoc, and Illtyd were also witnesses. Whoever will keep
it, he will be blessed by God, and whoever breaks it, will
be cursed.
55. How SAINT CADOC ERECTED A CHURCH TO HIS DISCIPLE MACMOILLUS.
Be it known to you that Cadoc erected a church to Mac-
moillus his disciple,2 and protected it with a fence, and
therein built an altar, that he might lodge when he should
go to Gwent, and should return ; and he appointed Mac-
moillus Prior therein, and governor of all its administra
tion. Cadoc therefore promised the rewards of the kingdom of heaven to all who should increase the possessions of
1 In the other MS. he is called Cuan Birry.2 This was in the parish of Bedwellty, of which it is a hamlet ;
in the twelfth centuryit was written Massmoil, and by successive corruptions in the course of years, is nowcalled Mamhole. It is uncertain where this building stood, if it be not the present parish
church, or at least on the same site. It was in existence, and called Ecclesia de Mass-
moil, in a record dated between 1101 and 1107, but no mention of Bedwellty, whence I
conclude they were both the same. W.
386 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
that church, in lands, or money, or in alms. The witnesses
of this are Cadoc, and his clergy, Pachan, Ditiu, Hoduam-Whosoever will keep it, will be blessed by God, and whoso
ever will break it, will be cursed.
56. OF THE LAND PENCARNOU, WHICH GWALLOUER GAVE TO ST. CADOC.
Be it known that Gwallouer gave to God, and Saint Cadoc the land Pencarnou,
1for his soul, for ever, until the day
of judgment, Gwallouer also gave this village to his son
Iddon, that he and his heirs might supply the family of Cadoc with the produce of the land, on their account ; the rent
of which land is nine tierces of ale, bread, flesh, and honey.So that whenever the clergy of Cadoc would eat and drink,
namely in Bassaleg, or in Pencarnou, the aforesaid Judnon
was to bring meat and drink to them ; as we have before
mentioned. The witnesses to this agreement are, Paulus
abbot of Nantcarban, Guenlion his brother, Thuiuc, Cano-
poi, Tanet, Nierbrith, Merhitr, Concum. Whosoever will
keep it, God will keep him, and who will break it, he will
be cursed by the Lord. Amen.
57. OF PART OF A FIELD WHICH RETONI GAVE TO SAINT CADOC.
It is to be observed that Retoni gave to God and Saint
Cadoc, to be possessed by perpetual right, the half part of
a field, near the city of the Legion,2 which fell to him by
hereditary right; and what had devolved to Herbic; he
bought the same of him, and gave it to God and Saint Cadoc. Of which thing the following are witnesses, Herbic,
Curnuet, Cogale, clergymen. Of the laity Guornet, Gued-
guon, Guedgui, Sonus, Alderreg. Whoever will keep it,
may he be blessed ; who will violate it, may he be cursed.
Amen.
1 Pencarnou here mentioned, is evidently in Bassaleg. W.2Llangathor juxta Caerlleon no doubt. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 387
58. OP THE FIELD WHICH TEMIC GAVE TO SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that Temic gave a field, that is of the land
of Crucin, to the altar of Saint Cadoc in perpetual possession,
with his sons, in the time of Paul abbot of Nantcarvan ;
which constantly paid annually six tierces of ale, and bread,
and flesh, to the family of Saint Cadoc. The witnesses are, of
the clergy, Guonan, Matganoi, Soy, Brenic, Elionoc, Pill
reader ;and of the laity, Cengrat, Guedhoc, Elinniu, Rimo-
geat, Brannoc, Cunhape. Whosoever will preserve this
offering, God will preserve him, and who will take from it,
God will destroy him.
59. OF THE VILLAGE OF CRADOC, WHICH GWENGARTH GAVE TO
SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that king Morgan while hunting, came to
the banks of the river Nadawan, and set a hawk on a duck,
and both the hawk and the duck passed over the river fly
ing. And suddenly there came an eagle from the sea
coast to take off the hawk ;which when king Morgan saw,
he was much grieved. But a disciple of the excited king,
named Gwengarth,1coming forwards armed with a shield
a sword and a lance, threw himself into the river, and
boldly snatched away the hawk from the seizure ofthe eagle,
and likewise drolly brought the hawk with the duck to the
hand of king Morgan, and by so doing pleased him not a
little. Wherefore Morgan said to Gwengarth, "Lo, I
will give to thee the village of Cradoc in hereditary right,
having its length from the city of Frotguid, as far as the
river Nadawan, and its breadth from the fountain Gwen
garth, to another fountain Gwengarth." The same day
Morgan and Gwengarth went to a certain territory of Cadoc;
and Gwengarth gave to God and Saint Cadoc the rent of
1 The name of Gwengarth occurs in the Liber Landavensis, pp. 391, 392, 400, in the
time of Oudoceus, and p. 432, in that of Berthgwyn. W.
388 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
the aforesaid village of Cradoc for his soul, and for the soul
of king Morgan, namely every year twelve tierces of ale, a
sextary of honey, and also bread and flesh. Also the said
Gwengarth gave for his soul to Conmogoy Hipiclaur, his
gilt sword, of the value of seventy cows. Wherefore Con
mogoy consulted Gwengarth, as to his giving the sword to
Morgan that he might confirm the donation of Gwengarth
respecting the town of Cradoc; which he also did. Bywhich thing, Morgan had the aforesaid donation confirmed,
which he also got strengthened by a written document
under the hand of Sulien, that it should be from thencefor
ward free and quit from all earthly service, and altogether
subject to obedience to God and Saint Cadoc. Of which
thing, the witnesses are, Morgan for himself, that there
should be no governor of the territory besides Gwengarth,and his heirs. Of the clergy, Sullien,
1
Conmogoy, Danog,1
Guorgethen, Legan, Elgnou; of the laity, Gwingueri,
Jacob, Boduan, Elguan, Curhitr, Cuncuan. Whosoever will
keep it, will be blessed, and he who will break it, will be
cursed by God and Saint Cadoc. Amen.Be it known to all persons, and to the successors of the
kings of this world, on account of the changeableness of
times, that Elli the disciple of the blessed Cadoc, havingbeen diligently educated by him from his childhood, and
eminently instructed in sacred literature, and was the most
beloved of all his disciples, mentioned, saying, "Lo, I have
built a church, and houses in the name of the Lord, and I,
and all my successors will be obedient, and subject to the
friendly family of Cadoc." And Elli gave to the aforesaid
family, by a perpetual payment in every year, provisions for
three nights in summer, and as many in winter, with
thanksgiving, and joy, prayers, and spiritual hymns ; but in
ordering the government of the said church, the abbot of
the monastery of Cadoc should always be the president, and
1Danog was abbot of Llanearvan, temp. Berthgwyn, Liber Landavensis p. 432, and
Sulien in the times of Oudoceus, Berthgwyn, and Trychan.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 389
leader. And if it should happen that Cadoc, and his suc
cessors should come with their claim of being patrons, there
should be given to them two oxen, as an acknowledgmentof alliance, and subjection. When they were assembled to
gether at the monastery, Elli in their sight confirmed this
agreement with the kiss of peace, near the cross which is in
middle of the way and known to many. Of this matter,
the witnesses are, Cadoc, Elli, Cleopas, Samson, Jacob,
Boduan, Conachan, Mach. They went each of them home
wards, blessing repeatedly. Amen.
60. OF THE FIELD WHICH TERENGUAL GAVE TO SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that Terengual gave the field Lughoidel to
God and Cadoc, which paid annually to Saint Cadoc and
his family, three tierces of ale, and bread, and flesh, and if it
happened that ale was not to be had, there should be paid
four bushels of wheat, or a white cloak. This alms Teren
gual gave to God, and Saint Cadoc, free and quit from all
regal, and earthly service, for his soul, and for the soul of
Morgan. The witnesses are Jacob the governor of the
altar of Cadoc, and his family, Conmogoi, Connul, Joseph,
Brunonoi, Catgen ; of the family of Illtyd, the witnesses are
Morgan, Gwallouir, Gwiddgen, Gwengarth. The boundary
of this field is from Pwll Tenbiub, as far as Dirprisc. Whosoever will keep it, may he be blessed, and he who will vio
late it, will be cursed by God.
61. OF THE VILLAGE OF REARTH WHICH GlJORCINNIM GAVE TO
SAINT CADOC.
Be it known to all that Guorcinnim bought the village
Reathr of Meurig, for his own inheritance, for a sword, the
golden hilt of which was worth twenty five cows. He also
gave to Cyngen, the son of Paul, a horse of the value of
four cows, also vestments of three ounces to Commorus,
and formerly a very excellent horse to the son of Cyngen,3 D
390 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
and to Andreas, the son of Morgan, a sword of the value of
four cows. Also the same person gave one to Idnerth the
son of Meurig of the value of four cows ; and an ox to
Cornouneno, who had brought him up, and another cow to
Gwengarth, steward to the king. After this purchase,
Meuric and Cyngen held a written deed under the hand of
Guorcinni, for perpetual inheritance to him, and his pro
geny. And Guorcinni himself gave this village to the
church of Saint Cadoc in perpetual possession until the dayof judgment ; and held a written deed of the grant under
the hand of Jacob, abbot of Carvan valley, for the commemoration of this alms, before proper witnesses, whose names
are subscribed; Oudoc, bishop, and Cethig governor of the
altar of Saint Dogwin, Jacob governor of the altar of
Saint Cadoc, and his family with him; of the family of
Illtyd, the witnesses are Conmoc presbyter, Comnil mas
ter, and Joseph presbyter, Biuone, Catgen ;of the laity,
Meurig and his sons, Andras, Gwedgen, Bramail, Concit son
of Ermit, Guorbis son of Berran, Aeintoc, Assail, Arcon,
Gwallonir, Ithel, Matton, Eliudus, Hilon, who were all
witnesses to this written deed of donation. And the afore
said village Rearthr belonged to Mesioco by hereditary
right, to whom Guorcinnim gave a horse of the value of
three cows that he might agree to this grant. Whoeverwill violate it will be cursed by God.
62. OF THE FIELD WHICH CYNVELYN GAVE TO SAINT CADOC.
Be it known that Cynfelyn gave the field called Lisdin
Borrion1 with his body, for the traffic of the heavenly kingdom, to God and Saint Cadoc, which would pay him an
nually six tierces of ale, with bread and flesh, and honey.And Conige is witness, who under his hand wrote the cor
responding deed.
1 Din Birrion occurs in the Liber Landavensis, p. 465, and was given by Cynvelyn apCynog to Oudoceus, the same person evidently as this Cynfelyn. It is possibly Usk, theBurrium of the Itineraries; the present church is dedicated to Saint Mary, but there mayhave been a previous one dedicated to, or built by Cadoc. W.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 391
63. OF THE LAND LiLANGADWALADR, WHICH GwiDNERTH GAVE TO
SAINT CADOC.
It is to be made known that Gwidnerth gave Llangad-
waladr1to God and Saint Cadoc, that it might pay him
every year three tierces of ale, with all things due, on ac
count of his killing his cousin Meirchion, and at length, he
gave it with the rents to Dogwinnus. Of this, the wit
nesses were Berthgwyn bishop, Conmil, Terchan and his
congregation, Sulien abbot of Nantcarvan, Lumbiu pres
byter, Biuonoi, Jonab, and the congregation of Saint Cadoc,
Saturn prince of the altar of Dogwinnus, Morgan, Gwid
nerth. Whosoever will keep it, will be blessed, and who
will violate it, will be cursed by God.
64 OF THE LAND WHICH MEURIG GAVE TO SAINT CADOC-
It is to be shewn on account of future changes of times,
and the successors of kings, that king Meurig gave for his
soul, and also equally that of his sister Sule, part of a field
called Insule Tuican, and two parts of a field which were the
property of Guorbrith and Cassoc, respecting which, king
Meurig held a written deed under the hand of Jacob, abbot
of the choir of Saint Cadoc, that he might make them free
and quit from all rent, and every claim, and all services, ex
cept to the family of Saint Cadoc. Wherefore Jacob after
wards gave a horse to king Meurig, and he gave it to
Gwyddgen, son of Brochmael. The witnesses of this trans
action are Jacob abbot, Rumceneu, Catthig, and their
fathers, Commogoe, Conmil, Gwrgeneu, Beuonoc, Catgen,
Heargin, Crasgell, Eittigyn, Gwyddon, Sulien, clergymen.Of the laity, Meurig for himself alone, and for his sons
from generation to generation, Gwyddgen2 son of Broch-
1Llangadwaladr was given to Berthgwyn, by this same person, and for the same rea
son, Liber Landavensis, p. 430, and some of the witnesses are the same. W.2Gwyddgen son of Brochwel, made a grant of Cabal va, near Llandaff, to Saint Oudo-
ceus. Liber Landavensis, page 394.
392 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
mael, Gwallonir, Guorcinnim, Guorbes, Morgan, Morheen.
These are the witnesses to this agreement, that it may not
be disannulled for ever. Then king Meurig confirmed his
grant on the altar of Saint Cadoc before his seniors. Whoever will keep it, will be blessed, and who will dissolve it
will be cursed by God.
65. OF KING MAELGON BEING DEPRIVED OF SIGHT.
Maelgon the Great was king of the Britons, and governedall Britain, from which he was paid annually, a hundred
cows, with as many calves, of the sort he chose, from each
township. Therefore the tax-gatherers of king Maelgoncame to collect tribute as far as Gwynllwg, and seized on a
very beautiful girl, named Abalcem, daughter of Guiragon,
superintendent of Saint Cadoc, and took her away with
them. On which account, the relatives of the girl became
angry, mounted their horses, and sounded their horns; which
being heard by all the warlike men of that city, they arose,
and pursuing them, slew three hundred men, one exceptedwho informed the king of what had been done. Which
having been heard, the king raging with furious anger,came with a large army for the purpose of revenging him
self, to the place which is called Crucglas. And Saint Cadoc
with all the inhabitants of Gwynllwg, arose to meet the
king, and went down to the place, where is the fountain
Brutrou, and there he fasted, with all his attendants accom
panying him. Maelgon therefore sent his messenger Ar-
gantbad to the blessed man, ordering him to pay at Rhiw-
carw, the price of the men who had been slain; whoanswered that he would not by any means pay anything,unless by the judgment of God and man. But the kingrefused the judgment, and on that very night, it was revealed
by an angel to the holy man Moucam, that he should
restrain the king from his cruelty; who also declared to the
king what had been made known to him by the angelicoracle.
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 393
But he altogether despised his admonitions; for early in
the morning, the king moved his camp to commit slaughter,
and immediately he became deprived of his sight, and knewnot how to direct his steps; he therefore sent his mes
sengers, namely, Maucan and Argantbad, to Saint Cadoc,
informing him what had happened to him, and earnestly
intreated that he would deign to visit him, and restore to
him his lost sight; but the man of God refused until he
came to confession. Then the king came to him, and
granted all the things that he asked of him; therefore the
blessed Cadoc, being permitted by the king, requested that
a refuge should be given to him, in the city of Gwynllwg,similar to the refuge of Saint David in the valley of Rosina.
And he gave to the blessed Cadoc the refuge he requested,
and granted to him the horse, and sword wherewith he
was girt, and also the golden vestments wherewith he was
clothed, and received him as his governor. And king Mael-
gon made an eternal agreement with Saint Cadoc and his
successors, saying," If any one of my race will break this, he
shall be cursed, and may the last of my progeny assist your
family at Gwynllwg as his last brother." King Maelgonwith his nobles, and the blessed Cadoc with his clergy, blessed
all who kept this agreement, and on the other hand, unani
mously cursed all who should not keep it. Therefore the
man of God shewed to the king, what he was to deliver
to him, namely three hundred and fifty cows, the price of
of the several nobles of his progeny, and said," Whatsoever
any one of my stock of Gwynllwg shall obtain from the
king as an eternal inheritance, may he have it without anyrent." Whosoever shall buy anything of my stock in the
country of Glywysig beyond the boundaries of Gwynllwg,
may he have the right of perpetual inheritance, and a price
and rent be paid to him." And the king on the other hand
shewed his pledge to the blessed man, and said," Who shall
kill any of my stock, may his land be given to the parentsof him who was killed, and his price be paid to his children.
If any one strike a stranger who shall flee to the refuge of
394 LIFE OF SAINT CADOC.
Gwynllwg, he shall pay one hundred cows according to
judgment; but should he deny, he must give the oath of sixty
men."
Also Saint Cadoc appointed the space of his refuge to
be seven years, and seven months, and seven days, and a
night s lodging in the house of every man in the town, and
afterwards he was to be dismissed from the refuge of Gwynllwg to any other place of security he might wish. Saint
Cadoc bore witness again, saying," If any one of my pro
geny be taken without the consent of the leader of his race,
he shall be dismissed unhurt, with his property; but should
he be taken with the consent of his leader, he is to be re
tained in custody until he will release him. No tribute
shall be paid to the king by my stock, except an assessment
of cattle after a revolution of seven years, when the latter
is to reserve to himself one third part, and the other twohe is to contribute to the king. And if any one should hurt
the leader of a generation of Gwynllwg, or shed his blood,
the person committing the offence shall not be restored, but
by the giving of land, gold, and animals. And whoevershall pay to the king the price of the death of any one of
my race, if he should be struck, his price shall in like manner be paid to the king. Should any of the men of my race,
be hurt, or slain, a cow with a sheep shall be paid as the
price of his soul. Also if any one of the progeny of the
Britons should be slain in the refuge of Gwynllwg, the
price of his soul shall be paid as in his own land, and should
he be an exiled person of the stock of Gwynllwg, it shall
be paid in like manner." And Saint Cadoc commanded his
relatives," If a leading man should break this testament of
agreement, dismiss him, and choose another of his race whowill keep it; and if such cannot be found, choose from another race."
66. OF THE WITNESSES OF SAINT CADOC.
The witnesses of the agreement of refuge, which the bles
sed Cadoc made with king Rhun, his uncle, son of Brychan
LIFE OF SAINT CADOC. 395
his grandfather, and are written in the Life of the manof God, are the following. Of the clergy, David, Chenedir,
Eliud, Illtyd, Maidoc, Cannau;1 of the laity, the witnesses
are Gober, Meliat, Cheleni, Chunleith, Chumurth, Aman;also of the race of Cadoc, the witnesses are Cinmur, Etelig,
Luipet, Seru, Poul.2
1Cannau, ap Gwyddlliw, ap Gwynlliw, ap Glywys, was the founder of Llangannau,
in Morganwg. Achau y Saint.
3 The discrepancies and anachronisms in all the accounts of St. Cadoc, or Cattwg, can
only be accounted for, by supposing that two or three individuals have been confounded
together, and this appears to have been the case in other instances as well as this, hencehas arisen the necessity of lengthening the lives of our Welsh Saints to something like
double the usual average of human existence, and it has been even asserted that the
usual duration of life in the county of Glamorgan was 120 years! Now in the AchauSaint we have two saints of the name, one the son of Brychan and the other the son of
Gwynlliw, but all the legends are referred to the last; again in the Roman Catholic Ca
lendar we find three St. Cadocs, one is styled an Abbot, and commemorated on the 24
January, the second a Bishop, whose feast is the 24 February, and the third a priest, onthe 31 March. There can be no doubt that these were three different persons. Professor
Rees, from Cressy, says the feast of St. Cadoc ap Brychan is 24 January, and Cadoc apGwynlliw 24 February ; now this identifies the son of Brychan with the Abbot of the
calendar, and if, as has been asserted, Llancarvan was founded in the time of St. Germanus second visit to this island in 447, he must have been, as from the same authoritywe are informed that Cadoc ap Brychan died 490, but Cadoc ap Gwynlliw not till 580,which dates appear from other considerations to be very near the truth. Of the Bishop weknow nothing more than the name, except the absurd legend which identifies him withCadoc ap Gwynlliw, and to which we shall have occasion to refer hereafter, and owing to
which the 24 Feb.hasbeen taken as the feast day of the latter, instead of the 31 of March.We have to choose between two opposite propositions, either that the college was foundedin the time of Germanus, and Cadoc ap Brychan was its first Abbot, or if we accord that
dignity to Cadoc ap Gwynlliw, St. Germanus could have had nothing to do with it, andthe era of its erection must be brought down at least a century. If the last propositionbe assumed, the 24 January must be taken as the feast of Cadoc ap Gwynlliw, and 31March that of Cadoc ap Brychan, and leaving the Bishop, whoever he was, in possessionof the 24 February. The calendar is much better evidence of the existence of three saints
of the name of Cadoc than Cressy, or any legend or modern author, their respective characters being distinctly noticed as an Abbot, a Bishop, and a Priest.
The question then arises, was the college of Llancarvan founded at that early periodof Germanus s visit to Britain in 447? All the accounts, that is our Welsh accounts, I
believe, agree in stating that it was; they also state that Saint Dubricius was its Princi
pal, and was succeeded by Saint Cadoc, and further it seems generally admitted that theestablishment of this college or school at Llancarvan, was anterior to that at Llanilltyd.
Against these opinions however, it may be observed, that the life of Saint Germanus, written by Constantius, a priest of Lyons, about 50 years after the death of that saint, makesno mention of any school founded by him in Britain, or under his auspices, and in fact
there is nothing in the work to shew that Germanus ever penetrated as far as Wales atall
;and again, although the abbot of Llancarvan, Llanilltyd, and Docunni, frequently
appear as witnesses to different grants, recorded in the Lib. Land.;there is not one of either
monastery mentioned before the time of Oudoceus, in the latter part of the 6th century.The name of Cadoc or Cattwg, occurs but once in the Liber Landavensis, and then not
in a way to identify him with our saint, but on the contrary, he seems to have been a verydifferent person ; it is in a grant to Bishop Ufelwy, where one of the clerical witnesses is
called Cynwal ap Cattwg. The first abbot of Llancarvan mentioned, is Cyngen, whosename is found in pp. 372, 390, 395, and was evidently the same person as the Conige ofthe grants here recorded. At the same time, Cadgen was the superior of Llanilltyd.The omission of the names of any such dignitiaries, as the abbots of these monasteries, inthe previous grants to Dubricius and Teilo, seems to justify the inference that these es
tablishments either did not exist, or were then in their infancy, and only rose into importance in the time of Oudoceus. W.